§ Q52. Mr. Lathamasked the Prime Minister when she expects to be able to announce firm decisions regarding major reform of the domestic rating system; and whether she envisages that they should be carried into law during the life of this Parliament.
§ The Prime MinisterAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment said on 2 December, a Green Paper on alternatives to domestic rates will be published later this month probably this week. Consultation will be completed in the early spring of next year, and, as I told my hon. Friend the Member for Chipping Barnet (Mr. Chapman) on 24 November, I believe it would be advisable to bring forward a Bill during the present Parliament if it is possible.