§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he issues any guidance to local authorities regarding the use of their powers to recover rates from insolvent companies; and if he will make a statement
§ Mr. WaldegraveNo. Rating authorities are in the best position to judge when to use their powers to enforce payment of rates. However, we are making provisions in the Rates Bill to extend the right to pay rates by instalment to all non-domestic ratepayers, and this should help companies that are in financial difficulties to spread the burden of rates over a period.