§ Mr. Murphyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take steps to abolish the current system of rates.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinNo. The Government have concluded, after comprehensive consultations following the publication of the Green Paper "Alternatives to Domestic Rates"—Cmnd. 8449—and in the light of the second report from the Environment Committee for the session 1981–82—HC 217-I—that rates should remain for the foreseeable future the main source of revenue for local government. As I announced to the House in the debate on the address on 23 June [Vol. 44, c. 253–6], it is our intention to publish a White Paper on our rating limitation and rate reform proposals.