§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish his proposals for determining the allowance to be made to local authorities for the collection of non-domestic rates and for offsetting losses or collection against their contribution to the national non-domestic rate pool.
§ Mr. GummerOur proposals were published in a consultation paper on "Payments into the National Non-Domestic Rating Pool" issued on 16 March. The closing date for responses is 12 May and discussions with the local authority associations are continuing. I am placing copies of the consultation paper in the Library.