HC Deb 23 March 1988 vol 130 cc141-2W
30. Mr. Moss

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the average level of rates increases announced by Scottish local authorities to date for 1988–89; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lang

The average domestic rate bill for a Scottish household will increase by 5.2 per cent. in 1988–89; 47 per cent. of the population will experience no rate increase at all. This confirms the generosity of my right hon. and learned Friend's rate support grant settlement for the year and renders all the more unacceptable the high rate increases imposed by some authorities.