§ Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his answer of 26 July, Official Report, c. 750, he will give the latest figures and estimates for the average domestic rate payment in Scotland.
§ Mr. MillanThe estimated average domestic rate payment—excluding domestic water rate—for 1979–80 is £139.20, an increase of 15.4 per cent. over the latest provisional average domestic rate payment for 1978–79 of £120.64.
§ Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his answer of 26 July, Official Report, column 749, he will give the latest estimate of the proportion of net disposable income taken by rate payments; and what was the equivalent proportion in England and Wales.
§ Mr. MillanThe estimate of the proportion of net disposable income taken by rate payments—excluding domestic water rates—for 1977—the latest year for which figures are available—is 3.43 per cent. in Scotland, where rate payments cover drainage charges. Figures for England and Wales should be obtained from my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment and my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, respectively.