Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the average rate of increase in the district rate for 1989–90.
§ Mr. Needham1.49p in the pound, which represents an increase of 2.4 per cent.
Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the extent of consultations with local authorities before he confirmed the level of regional rates for 1989–90.
§ Mr. Ian StewartI refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Antrim, South (Mr. Forsythe) on 20 April, at column 448. The regional rate is levied as a contribution from ratepayers to those rateborne services which in Northern Ireland are the responsibility of central Government, not local authorities. Expenditure on those services to which they contribute is determined each year as part of the public expenditure planning process and is subject to the scrutiny of Parliament. As the level of the regional rate is a central Government responsibility, there is no provision in the process for prior consultation with local authorities.