§ Mr. Freemanasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Government will consider introducing legislation to require local authorities to reduce rates on empty residential properties after a grace period, where the departing ratepayer can show that his removal was caused by the need to move to other employment.
§ Mr. WaldegraveRating authorities are already required to allow a three-month rate-free period after a properly becomes vacant. The Government have no plans to extend this "grace" period, but local authorities will continue to have discretion as to whether they levy rates on empty domestic property after the grace period, and at what rate up to 100 per cent. of the full rate.
Appointed Expiry date Viscount Arbuthnott (Chairman) Landowner/Deputy Chairman NCC 16 July 1980 15 July 1985 Mr. D. J. Mackay Industrialist 8 February 1979 31 May 1984 Professor W. W. Fletcher Botanist 24 November 1980 31 May 1986 Mr. R. Allison Farmer 22 December 1980 31 May 1986 Mr. W. J. Cairns Landscape Architect/Planner 1 July 1977 31 May 1986 Doctor J. Burnett Botanist 1 June 1981 31 May 1984 Mr. J. C. Compton Farmer/Agricultural Botanist 1 June 1981 31 May 1984 Professor R. I. Currie Marine Biologist 1 May 1982 31 May 1985 Professor E. K. Walton Geologist 1 June 1982 31 May 1985 Professor A. W. G. Manning Zoologist 1 June 1982 31 May 1985 Professor W. Ritchie Geographer 1 June 1983 31 May 1986 Mr. W. J. Christie Forester/Hill Farmer 1 June 1983 31 May 1986