§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now publish details of Her Majesty's Government's proposals for reform of the rating system.
§ Mr. WaldegraveMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State indicated during the debate on the Address on 23 June — [Vol. 44, c. 253] that he would shortly be publishing a White Paper on our proposals for the rating system. The White Paper will contain details of the Government's proposals for curbing excessive and irresponsible rate increases by selected high spending local authorities in England and Wales, and a fallback provision for the limitation of the rates of all local authorities. The Government have concluded that rates should remain for the foreseeable future the main source of revenue for local government, and the White Paper will contain detailed proposals for improving the rating system.