HC Deb 04 November 1987 vol 121 cc722-3W
20. Mr. Leigh

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest assessment of the impact on rate levels of the next statutory revaluation.

Mr. Howard

Information on the effects of the 1990 revaluation will not be available until the valuation office has analysed the rental information that it is now collecting.

30. Mr. Evennett

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received from business organisations in London and the home counties concerning the proposed establishment of a uniform business rate.

Mr. Howard

My Department received 1,217 responses before 31 October 1986 when the consultation period on the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" (Cmnd. 9714) ended. Of these, 45 were about our proposals for a uniform business rate and were from business organisations in the home counties. We continue to receive representations from all parts of the country about aspects of our proposals as well as requests for further information.

54. Mr. Watts

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the uniform business rate; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Howard

542 responses were received about our proposals for a national non-domestic rate before 31 October 1986 when the consultation period on the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" (Cmnd. 9714) ended. We continue to receive representations about specific aspects of our proposals as well as requests for further information.

Mr. Riddick

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment Her Majesty's Government have made of the likely effects upon households in (a) the Colne Valley constituency and (b) the Kirklees Metropolitan district council and (c) the Yorkshire and Humberside region of proceeding with a rate revaluation of domestic properties; and what is his estimate of the number of gainers and losers under such a revaluation.

Mr. Howard

Detailed estimates of the effects of a domestic revaluation are not available; but a recent independent study has forecast that rate bills in the north would increase, especially for occupiers of terraced houses.