§ Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the cost to local authorities of extending to charity shops the 50 per cent. mandatory rate relief available at present to charities.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettThe Rating (Charity Shops) Act 1976 restored to charities the 50 per cent. mandatory rate relief they enjoyed on charity shops prior to the House of Lords decision on Oxfam versus Birmingham City Council. No estimate of the cost involved was available either at the time of the Bill or since as the number of shops involved is not known.