§ Mr. Jonathan EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he intends to review the guidance issued to local authorities by his Department on the operation of section 49 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
§ Mr. David HuntI have no plans to review the guidance issued to authorities on the circumstances in which relief might be offered to ratepayers. Decisions are entirely at the discretion of authorities. They have the freedom to help ratepayers if they believe the needs of an area justify such help and after taking into account the fact that 25 per cent. of the cost of any relief is borne by local community chargepayers.