§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of average increases in domestic rates in England and Wales in 1978; and how this compares with the Rating and Valuation Association's figure of 11 per cent.
§ Mr. ShoreOn the basis of a 92 per cent. sample, the average domestic rates rise in England and Wales in 1978 will be 9.7 per cent. This estimate is a weighted average which takes account of differences in the size of local authorities, and hence of the average rates increase faced by domestic rate payers. The Rating and Valuation Association's figures are based on the average increase in rates decided by authorities and are not adjusted to allow for differences in the size of authorities.