§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider introducing a link between rate poundages in Scotland and the new unified business rate to be applied in England after 1990.
§ Mr. LangWe have announced firm proposals to achieve a common rate poundage for Scotland at the same level as for England. We are seeking powers through the540W current Local Government and Housing Bill to enable us to prescribe the actual non-domestic rate of each local authority for a transitional period beginning in 1990–91. Our intention is that rate poundages in Scotland will generally be reduced relative to the uniform business rate in England and Wales so that. after five years or so, they will be brought into line with the rate in England and Wales.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider introducing an extension of the mechanism of industrial derating to commercial premises in Scotland in the period leading up to the introduction of the unified business rate.
§ Mr. LangThe future of industrial derating will fall to be considered once the likely effect of the 1990 revaluations on different sides of the Border and on different sectors of property become known later this year.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will provide for interim relief to business rate payers in Scotland to take account of the discrepancies in rates paid north and south of the English border in the period leading up to the introduction of the unified business rate.
§ Mr. LangThe plans I have announced will ensure that the discrepancies are removed on a reasonable timetable which takes account of the likely timetable of changes in England and Wales.