§ Mr. Andrew Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make provision for preserving the existing rate relief for charities in the form of a discount from collective community charges; what estimates he has of the effects of the community charge proposals on churches and charities in Scotland; and what representations he has received on this matter.
§ Mr. LangI refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 6 July to the right hon. Member for Tweeddale, Etrrick and Lauderdale (Mr. Steel) at columns 28–29.
My right hon. and learned Friend has made no estimate of the effects of the community charge proposals on churches and charities in Scotland. He has received 32 representations from church organisations and individual churches, and some 50 further representations from other charities, about the implications for them of the community charge proposals.