§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Prime Minister what she estimates would be the uniform business rates payable on the following Government buildings compared with the commercial rates in 1987–88(a) the Department of the Environment, (b) the Treasury, (c) No. 10 Downing street, (d) the Foreign Office, (e) the Department of Trade and Industry, (f) the Scottish Office, (g) the Welsh Office, (h) the Ministry of Defence and (i) the Ministry of Agriculture.
§ The Prime MinisterI refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 11 January at column1. Information on the contributions in lieu of rates made by the Treasury, and the effects of the introduction of the uniform business rate on those contributions, is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.