HC Deb 27 April 1983 vol 41 c332W
49. Mr. Patrick McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, pursuant to his answer of 10 February, Official Report, c. 459–60, he has yet reached any conclusions on proposals to mitigate the effect of high rates on commerce and industry.

Mr. Giles Shaw

As my right hon. Friend said to my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-West (Mr. Colvin) today, he hopes to announce our proposals for rating reform shortly. I cannot anticipate these, but we have the problems of commercial and industrial ratepayers very much in mind.

Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what response he has given to the Confederation of British Industry in answer to its representations about the burden of rates upon commercial and industrial undertakings.

Mr. King

I invited representatives of the CBI to a meeting in my Department last December at which I was able to consider their proposals for the reform of rates. In particular, I fully accept the importance which the CBI attaches to cost-effectiveness in the provision of local authority services.