§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring up to date the reply given by the previous Under-Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Melton on 21 November 1979, regarding transactions subject to betterment levy currently under consideration by his Department.
§ Mr. Giles ShawAs at March 1981 there were 515 transactions subject to betterment levy under consideration: of these
- a. 462 were determined assessments still unpaid;
- b. 52 were in dispute but still under negotiation;
- c. One is the subject of proceedings before the Lands Tribunal;
- d. 21 of the determined assessments have been the subject of a decision by the Lands Tribunal.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the amount of betterment levy and interest thereon received in his Department in 1979–80 and 1980–81; how many full-time staff were involved in assessment and collection; and what was the overall cost.
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§ Mr. Giles ShawLevy and interest thereon received in 1979–80 amounted to £172,247. The provisional figure for 1980–81 is £82,228.
There were five full-time staff in 1979–80 and two in 1980–81. Overall administrative costs, including costs of staff who spend part of their time on this work, are estimated at £77,000 in 1979–80 and £64,000 in 1980–81.