§ 16. Mr. Lambieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is now in a position to announce the Government's proposals for rates reform in Scotland.
§ Mr. AncramWe are looking carefully at the whole system of local government finance, including rating. A consultative document setting out the Government's proposals will be published early in the new year.
§ 17. Mr. Bruceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met the National Federation of Small Businesses and the Self-Employed to discuss reform of the rating system; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramI met representatives of the federation on 11 March and since then its Scottish secretary has 689W written to me and to my right hon. Friend on some two dozen occasions so I am not unaware of the federation's views on a range of issues concerned with local government finance. Following publication of the Government's proposals on this early in the new year, there will be an opportunity for detailed comment and consultation.
§ 24. Mr. Wallaceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many recent representations he has received concerning the proposed replacement of the domestic rating system in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramThroughout most of the past year there has been a steady flow of representations urging changes in the local domestic taxation system in Scotland. These will be taken into account in our proposals for reform of local government finance, due to be published early in the new year.
§ 33. Dr. Godmanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies are being undertaken in his Department into the practicalities of replacing the rating system with a poll tax; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramWe shall be publishing a consultative document early in the new year setting out proposals for the reform of local government finance. This will include the information necessary to reach a view about the consequences of the proposals.