§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost of the non-rating of agricultural hereditaments in each year since 1979.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIt is estimated that about £200 million might have been added to total rateable values in210W England and Wales if agricultural land and buildings were rated. Applying average non-domestic rate poundages for England and Wales to this figure gives a very broad indication of the revenue which might have been raised.
£ million 1979–80 190 1980–81 240 1981–82 280 1982–83 320 1983–84 340 These figures are likely to exaggerate the total cost of agricultural derating since rate poundages are generally lower than the national average in agricultural areas.