§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what indication he has of local authorities including uniform business rate arrears in the figure they give as the additional amounts charged for sums not collected; whether all local authorities are acting consistently on this matter; whether he has issued any guidance to local authorities on this point; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe amounts taken into account as "other adjustments" for the purposes of setting community charges is a matter for each individual charging authority.
Under the statutory arrangements for the national non-domestic rate it is not necessary for authorities when setting their community charges to make provision in their "other adjustments" for non collection of rates due from non-domestic ratepayers.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend legislation so as to reduce the business rate liability of empty shop premises using a charitable or non-commercial information display in their windows as a device to improve security and the environment.
§ Mr. Robin SquireNo.