§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of total revenue this year from local authority rates levied on private householders; and what percentage increase in income tax would be necessary to make good the loss if rates were replaced by a local income tax.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettI estimate that the total revenue from domestic rates in England and Wales in 1978–79 will be about £2,160 million, net of rate rebates. To raise this amount from personal income tax would increase income tax liability for England and Wales by about 12 per cent.
§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what was the average sum paid per hereditament in the London borough of Westminster in respect of general, water and sewerage rates for the financial years 1976–77, 1977–78 and 1978–79;
(2) what was the average sum paid per hereditament in the city of Portsmouth in respect of general, water and sewerage rates for the financial years 1976–77, 1977–78 and 1978–79;
(3) what was the average sum paid per hereditament in the Borough of Medina in the Isle of Wight in respect of general, water and sewerage rates for the financial years 1976–77, 1977–78 and 1978–79.
§ Mr. ShoreThe estimated average local authority rate payment per domestic hereditament for each rating authority is shown in the annual publications of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, namely "Return of rates and rates levied per head of population, 1976/77", and "Financial, General and Rating Statistics, 1977–78 and 1978–79", copies of which are in the Library. The additional average payments per domestic76W hereditament in respect of water and sewerage charges were:
£ London Borough of Westminster City of Portsmouth Medina, Isle of Wight 1976/77 43.2 29.7 22.7 1977/78 45.8 33.1 29.7 1978/79 48.3 34.6 33.2