§ Mr. DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what are his conclusions on his guidance to local authorities on discretionary rate relief to charities and non-profit making bodies following his survey of local authorities' practices in 1989–90 and 1990–91.
§ Mr. Robin SquireMy hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) announced some of the results of our numerical analysis of the results of the survey on 5 November 1991,Official Report, column 17, and 16 December 1991, Official Report, column 69. They show that more relief was given to more recreational clubs in 1990–91 than in 1989–90. Although fewer other non-profit making bodies received relief, the class of property has reduced in size: in 1989–90 it included residential care, educational and welfare institutions which, on introduction of the community charge, lost eligibility for relief. For those still eligible, relief remained about the same level as in 1989–90.
We have no evidence from the survey that authorities are misusing, or indeed failing to use, their discretion. The objective is to give local authorities the chance to tailor the rates bills of a wide range of deserving ratepayers to the local services those organisations provide. These are matters that cannot be prescribed fairly at a national level and which are wholly suited to local decision.
Our guidance on discretionary rate relief appears to have been widely accepted and we have not been alerted to major flaws in it. We therefore do not feel that it needs to be amended. However, we are writing to all local authorities reminding them of the Department's guidance to treat each case on its merits.