HC Deb 24 January 1990 vol 165 cc741-2W
26. Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the introduction of the national non-domestic rating system for businesses.

Mr. David Hunt

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has received a number of representations from individual businesses and business organisations on aspects of the new uniform business rate in England.

Mr. McFall

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a further statement on the implications of the uniform business rate for small and large businesses in England and Wales.

Mr. Chope

I have nothing further to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Knapman) on 20 December,Official Report, columns 330-31.

76. Mr. Waller

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if, for the Bradford metropolitan district, he will state the average percentage change in rates payable in respect of industrial premises following revaluation and the introduction of the uniform business rate.

Mr. Chope

At the national non-domestic poundage of 34.8p and taking account of the non-domestic revaluation, average rate bills for factories in the metropolitan district of Bradford would fall by 27.3 per cent. compared with 1989–90. However, both reductions and increases in bills will be subject to transitional arrangements. The purpose of these is to give businesses facing higher bills time to adjust and to ensure that the overall yield from business rate remains broadly the same in real terms in 1990–91 as in 1989–90.

74. Mr. Murphy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received over the implementation of the new business rate.

Mr. Chope

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 13 December,Official Report, column 710.

64. Mr. Buckley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultations were held with representatives of the business community and local authorities on the level of the uniform business rate prior to his recent announcement.

Mr. Chope

Wide consultations have been held with representatives of the business community and local authorities on all aspects of the new uniform business rate. The rate for 1990–91, which my right hon. Friend announced on 20 December, is pitched at the level necessary to meet the Government's commitment that businesses should pay broadly the same in real terms in the first year of the new system as in the last year of the old.

57. Mr. Wareing

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the likely effects upon businesses of the introduction of the unified business rate.

Mr. Chope

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud on 20 December,Official Report, columns 330–31.

41. Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the new business rating adjustment.

68. Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning the impact of the uniform business rate on small businesses in the midlands.

96. Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many representations he has had from owners of small businesses in relation to his proposals for a national non-domestic rate.

114. Mr. John Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received on the introduction of the uniform business rate; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chope

I refer the hon. Members and the hon. and learned Member to the reply given to the hon. Members for Torfaen (Mr. Murphy) and for Ashfield (Mr. Haynes) on 13 December,Official Report, column 710.

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