§ Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish(a) the estimated increase in the level of rates that businesses in each of the district council areas of Devon will face when unified business rate is introduced and how that increase will be phased in and (b) the results of the recent rates revaluation on businesses in Exeter and Devon.
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 25 January 1989]A business (national non-domestic) rate set at the 1988–89 average level would have been set at 239.5p in the pound. This compares with the present poundages in the district council areas of Devon as follows:
Pence in the Pound Percentage difference East Devon 228.7 5 Exeter 225.7 6 North Devon 236.7 1 Plymouth 231.3 4 South Hams 235.3 2 Teignbridge 236.5 1 Mid-Devon 234.8 2 Torbay 244.3 -2 Torridge 237.0 1 West Devon 235.2 2 The revaluation of non-domestic properties will be carried out by the valuation office of the Inland Revenue by the end of this year. I hope to be able to announce shortly the Government's proposals for phasing in rate changes, based on sample information about the likely effects of the revaluation.