§ Mr. Win Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Wales if he will estimate how many second homes in each borough in Wales will not be rated when the poll tax is operating in full; and what will be the loss of revenue on present charges for each borough as a result of this.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerAll domestic hereditaments, including second homes, will cease to be rated when the community charge is in full operation. Owners of second homes will instead pay a standard charge to the local authority where the property is situated. The standard charge will normally be equivalent to two units of community charge; but local authorities will have power to set lower standard charges.
§ Mr. Win Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Wales (1) if he will estimate what is the current rates revenue received from private and local authority establishments catering for old people as residents by each local authority in Wales;
(2) what is the estimated revenue for each local authority in Wales when the new business rate is levied in full on private and local authority residential establishments catering for old people and the poll tax is levied in full on the residents.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerThe information needed to make these estimates is not available centrally. Final decisions on the treatment of such establishments under the new system have not yet been taken. However, we have already made it clear that residents of old peoples homes will be exempt from the community charge.