HC Deb 26 January 1981 vol 997 cc287-8W
Mr. Harry Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the progress made to date by the review body set up in April 1979 under the control of the Scottish Office finance division to consider amendments to Scottish valuation law.

Mr. Younger

Possible amendments to Scottish valuation law, together with other local government finance matters, are the subject of continuing discussions at official level between the Scottish Office and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and reports on the outcome of these discussions are made from time to time at meetings between myself and the convention's elected representatives. The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Bill proposes a number of changes to valuation law which have arisen from such discussions.

Mr. Harry Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has had any discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities regarding the possibility of a change being made in Scottish valuation law so as to exclude plant and machinery including pipelines built in the open.

Mr. Younger

The valuation of external plant and machinery has been discussed at official level with the convention's representatives.

Mr. Harry Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any proposals to change the present Scottish valuation law with particular reference to industrial plant outside buildings.

Mr. Younger

I am considering representations made to me on this matter.

Mr. Harry Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any undertaking has been given to the Confederation of British Industry (Scotland) and British Petroleum, Grangemouth, that he intends to amend the present Scottish valuation law to exclude from rates plant and machinery, including pipework.

Mr. Younger

No.

Mr. Harry Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his finance working party has made any estimate of the financial effects of a change in the Scottish valuation law designed to exclude from rates plant and machinery, including pipelines built outside.

Mr. Younger

The working party on local government finance has made no such estimate, though it has considered one put to it in evidence.