§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will extend the Rating (Exemption for Unoccupied Industrial Hereditaments) Regulations 1984 to provide similar relief for buildings deliberately designed or modified to be equally suitable for industrial or warehouse use; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveNo. The Government have decided to give priority to empty industrial property. In many areas464W there is still a market for empty commercial properties including warehouses. Such a market exists equally for those properties which are designed for either industrial or warehouse use, and it would be unreasonable to provide relief for this type of warehouse only. However, where a building was constructed mainly for use for industrial purposes and last put to an industrial use, it is likely to be eligible for relief under the regulations we have already made.