§ 19. Mr. Robert HicksTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any proposals to extend the transitional arrangements governing the introduction of the uniform business rate for smaller businesses to 10 years; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeThe Local Government Finance Act 1988 empowers us to provide transitional arrangements for years beyond 1995. We shall certainly he prepared to use these powers to protect businesses facing large increases after the 1995 revalu tion, if this proves to be necessary.
§ 102. Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to replace the 100–day rule for liability to pay the uniform business rate for bed and breakfast operations.
§ Mr. ChopeWe have received a considerable number of representations on this subject from all sides of the industry to which we are currently giving careful consideration. We have not yet reached a conclusion on what, if any, changes should be made.