Mr. Robert HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in theOfficial Report the amount of rates paid in Aberdeen by non-domestic ratepayers in the current financial year, the amount of rates to be paid by non-domestic ratepayers in the first year of the community charge, and the proportion of such payments which will be available to Aberdeen city district council.
§ Mr. LangThe amount of rates paid in Aberdeen by non-domestic ratepayers in 1987–88 is estimated at £73 million. It is not possible to calculate the amount of rates to be paid by non-domestic ratepayers in the first year of the community charge as this will depend on decisions not yet taken and information not yet available. For the same reason it is not possible to calculate the proportion of such payments which will be available to Aberdeen city district council; but the proportion for 1987–88 is estimated at 25 per cent.