§ Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received representations about the effect of schedule 13 to the General Rate Act 1967 on certain ratepayers in private dwellings who pay rates at a commercial level; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy hon. Friend is referring to the case of buildings consisting of rooms let singly, with or without communal facilities. I am aware of concern which has been expressed because some of these buildings are considered ineligible for domestic rate relief. The reasons for this are complex and varied. I shall therefore be writing to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest available estimate of rates paid as a proportion of manufacturing industry's costs, in percentage terms.
§ Mr. WaldegraveLatest available figures relate to 1981. These indicate that in the United Kingdom rates constitute about 1 per cent. of manufacturing industries' costs.
§ Mr. Strawasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the rates paid by manufacturing industry as a proportion of its gross profits before tax.
§ Mr. WaldegraveIn 1981, it is estimated that rates paid by manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom amounted to about one eighth of gross trading profits before tax (and before providing for depreciation and stock appreciation but after payment of bank interest).