§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average Scottish domestic rate in 1982–83; and what is his estimate of the increase in this figure, outside Orkney, Shetland, Central Scotland and Falkirk, which might result from his proposals to reduce the rating burden on Scottish external plant and machinery.
§ Mr. YoungerThe average domestic rate—excluding water—is 120p for 1982–83. This will not be affected by the proposal to exclude from 1 April 1983 certain external plant and machinery from valuation for rating. Had this proposal been effective from 1 April 1982 and with no other changes in local authority budgets the average rate for 1982–83 excluding Orkney, Shetland and Central Scotland and Falkirk would have been around 0.75 of one penny higher.