§ 43. Mr. Rentonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is currently considering either a local sales tax or a local income tax as an alternative to rates.
§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what the increased manpower implications and the cost would be if the recommendations of the Layfield committee of inquiry into local government finance for the substitution of the domestic rating system by a local income tax were implemented.
§ Mr. KingThe Layfield committee made some estimates of its own proposals. I am not yet in a position to give estimates of manpower implications and costs either of a local income tax or other taxes currently under review because these will vary greatly according to how the propositions are formulated.
§ 44. Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement of progress in considering the reform of the rating system.
§ Mr. KingI refer to the answer my right hon. Friend gave on 4 February to my hon. Friend the Member for Leek (Mr. Knox).—[Vol. 998, c.271–2].