§ 18. Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the likely impact on farmers of the proposed community charge.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe impact on farmers will vary in accordance with the local authority areas in which they live. Farmers currently pay rates on their dwellings in the same way as other occupiers of domestic property. It is anticipated that there will be considerable variations in the community charge. I refer the hon. Member to the details of likely community charges which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment placed in the Library of the House on 29 June. As at present, agricultural land and buildings will continue to be exempted from the rating system.