§ Mr. Allen McKayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of percentage price increases in the cost of living each year for the next five years in Scotland, Wales, northern England, southern England and south-east England due to the uniform business rate.
§ Mr. ChopeIn fixing the national non-domestic rate poundages for England and Wales for 1990–91 the Government have aimed to raise in real terms from private businesses and the nationalised industries broadly the same amount in rates as they paid in 1989–90. In future years, the poundage cannot, by law, rise by more than the level of inflation. The new system is therefore not 295W inflationary. There is no uniform business rate in Scotland, though my right hon. and learned Friend has taken powers to harmonise the local poundages there with the non-domestic rate poundage in England over a period of years.