§ Mr. LeighTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the arrangements for prisons to pay local authorities money in lieu of rates; and what will be the arrangements under the community charge.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThis is a matter for my right hon. Friends the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for the Environment, but I understand that the rating of Government property department in the Treasury pays a contribution in lieu of rates on Crown properties including prisons; and that under the arrangements proposed in the Local Government Finance Bill now before Parliament the Government intend to continue to pay a contribution in lieu of rates on non-domestic Crown buildings.