§ The Earl of Shrewsburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether public conveniences in shopping centres should attract rateable value, bearing in mind that business rates are already levied on the shops in those centres and that the facility is provided for the comfort of the customers of those shops.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Hesketh)Public conveniencies, in shopping centres or elsewhere, will be rateable if they satisfy the usual tests of rateability. In cases like those raised by the noble Earl, the shops in question are assessed having regard to their own amenities, but the value of any independent facilities (such as exhibition areas, administrative offices or public conveniencies) will generally be separately rateable.