§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what evidence he has of the impact of increased rates on businesses both nationally and in Leicester;
(2) what assessment he has made of the impact of the increase in rates in Leicester on the profitability and viability of knitting manufacturers in the Leicester area; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldI have no doubt that the excessive rates imposed by some councils, including the 35 per cent. rise in the general rate in Leicester this year, can have serious consequences for the local economy and for 423W employment opportunities. This will apply to knitting manufacturers as to any other business. We have published proposals for a national non-domestic rate in the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" which will remove such economically damaging variations in business rates.