§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what systematic analysis he has made, or has available to him, of the relationship over time and over appropriate area by appropriate area, between the level of, and increases in, industrial and commercial rates, and the level of, and increase in, unemployment, and bankruptcies and liquidations of firms; and if he will make such analysis and information available in the Library.
§ Mr. KingI am not aware of any analysis along the lines of the question, but there have been a number of different studies of the level of business, or non-domestic, rates and the significance of rates in comparison with turnover, profits, or other indicators. Two such studies are a report in the Centre for Environmental Studies' Review—number 4 of September 1978—and a report on rates and small firms, commissioned by Shell UK Ltd. from Coopers and Lybrand and Associates. Key Statistical Indicators, in CES Review number 1, of July 1977 is also302W relevant. I have ensured that the Library will have copies. I am of course aware of the adverse consequences of high rate bills for firms through discussions with the CBI and other organisations and through receiving many letters from business ratepayers.