§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current average rate poundage for industrial and commercial premises in Scotland.
§ Mr. AncramThe estimated average rate poundage in 1985–86 for industrial and commercial properties in Scotland is 65.5.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the average increase in the rate poundage in 1985–86 as compared with 1984–85 in each district and region in Scotland for (a) domestic ratepayers, (b) commercial ratepayers and (c) industrial ratepayers; and if he will publish the information in the form of a table;
(2) what is the average factor by which valuations have risen in the case of (a) owner-occupied property and (b) council houses and other houses in the public sector;
(3) what is the average rates bill in Scotland in 1985–86 of (a) owners of domestic properties and (b) council house tenants, and other houses in the public sector; and if he will publish a table giving the information, local authority by local authority;
(4) what is the average level of rates in 1985–86 for (a) owner-occupied properties and (b) houses in the public sector in Scotland.
§ Mr. Ancram[pursuant to his answer, 16 May 1985, c. 229]: I shall make this information available as soon as possible.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the nature and scope of the evidence on rentals paid in the domestic sector on which the recent valuation was based.
§ Mr. Ancram[pursuant to his answer, 16 May 1985, c. 229]: This is a matter for the individual local assessors, upon whom the task of assembling such evidence is laid by statute, and who have to defend their valuations on appeal by reference to it.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the reasons for the differential increase in rateable values as between (a) small commercial ratepayers and (b) large commercial concerns, which have resulted from the recent revaluation.
§ Mr. Ancram[pursuant to his answer, 16 May 1985, c. 229]: I do not have any basis for trying to comment comprehensively on the differing trends which may have affected different sub-classes of ratepayers in the recent revaluation.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the average multiplier in Scotland; what are the upper and lower ends of the multiplier factor; and if he will publish a table showing any variations as between regions and districts.
§ Mr. Ancram[pursuant to his answer, 16 May 1985, c. 229]: Over all property in Scotland, the 1985 revaluation has led to an average multiplier of 2.3. There will, however, be a very wide range of multipliers applying to individual properties. In theory these could range from zero where a property has dropped out of valuation altogether to infinity where a previously exempt property has become rateable. Information on multipliers 263W on the detailed local basis requested is not held centrally, but my hon. Friend may wish to write to the individual regional assessors to see what figures they can provide.