§ Dr. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if squash clubs and other sports facilities will 895W be exempt from the proposals contained in Cmnd. 9714 "Paying for Local Government", and in the subsequent consultation documents issued by his Department.
§ Mr. Ridley[pursuant to his reply, 21 October 1987, c. 820]: Sports clubs which are charities will continue to be entitled to 50 per cent. relief from non-domestic rates as of right and will be eligible for up to another 50 per cent. at the rating authority's discretion. Other non-profit-making sports clubs will be eligible for 100 per cent. relief at the discretion of the local authority. The cost of mandatory reliefs will be met by the national non-domestic rate pool. The cost of discretionary reliefs will be met 50 per cent. by the pool. Therefore, local authorities should generally be no less inclined to grant reliefs than at present.
§ Dr. Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to make earlier rate support grant settlements in order to allow local authorities to take earlier decisions on levels of community charge.
§ Mr. Ridley[pursuant to his answer, 21 October 1987, c. 820]: Rate support grant will be paid only for years up to and including 1989–90. Thereafter, we propose that revenue support grant should be the main source of Government grant for local services.