§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to be able to discontinue the collection of betterment levy under part III of the Land Commission Act 1967, and disband the relevant administrative unit within his Department, in view of the fact that the Land Commission and the levy were abolished in 1970–71.
§ Mr. Giles ShawAlthough the number of cases outstanding and consequent staff effort continue to decline the amount of levy collected is still significant. I cannot at present predict when collection can be discontinued.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring up to date the reply given by the hon. Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw) on 14 April 1981, Official Report, c. 130, regarding transactions subject to betterment levy currently under consideration by his Department.
§ Mr. Giles ShawAs at 31 March 1982 there were 405 transactions subject to betterment levy under consideration: of these
333W
- (a) 374 were determined assessments still unpaid
- (b) 31 were in dispute but still under negotiation and
- (c) 14 of the determined assessments have been the subject of a decision of the Lands Tribunal.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will bring up to date the figures given by the hon. Member for Pudsey (Mr. Shaw) on 14 April 1981, Official Report, c. 130–31 regarding the yield-related staffing and cost of collection of betterment levy.
§ Mr. Giles ShawLevy and interest thereon received in 1980–81 amounted to £83,630. During 1981–82, £32,569 was received while in 1982–83 over £210,000 has been collected to date.
The overall administrative costs of collection in 1981–82 are estimated at £28,000, equivalent to two full-time staff.