§ Mr. SproatTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the length of time being taken over uniform business rate appeals; how many such appeals are pending; what percentage have been pending for over three months, six months and one year, respectively in(a) England and (b) the Harwich constituency; and what specific steps he is taking to speed up appeals throughout (i) England and (ii) the Harwich constituency.
§ Mr. Robin SquireNon-domestic rating appeals in England are dealt with by valuation tribunals, and those in Harwich by the Essex North valuation tribunal.
195WInformation is not available centrally in the from requested. The available information is as follows:
All tribunals in England Essex North valuation tribunal including Harwich Number per cent. Number per cent. Appeals received By the end of March 1991 597,000 77 5,800 75 During April to September 1991 90,000 11 1,000 13 During October 1991 to March 1992 92,000 12 900 12 Total 779,000 100 7,700 100 Total appeals cleared 220,000 1,500 Appeals outstanding at end of March 1992 558,000 6,200 Most of the original list appeals in 1990–91 were received towards the end of the financial year.
Valuation tribunals are independent bodies and the priority and timing of cases is primarily a matter for them. The Department has, however, urged all tribunals to deal with appeals as quickly as possible.
The Department is responsible for the funding of the English tribunals, and they were provided with additional staff and computer systems for dealing with the 1990 rating appeals. The staffing levels are kept under review.
Grant in aid paid to UDCs 1987–92—£ million Actual outturn (Current Prices) 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 Black Country 2.443 23.000 38.000 32.000 46.200 Bristol — 0.283 5.000 13.425 19.125 Central Manchester — 2.500 11.000 14.000 16.000 Leeds — 2.743 8.750 14.000 13.600 London Docklands 82–800 116.415 225.750 332–975 248.710 Merseyside 20–942 20.535 23.000 24.000 25.438 Sheffield — 7.958 9.500 18.967 13.300 Teesside 5.000 20.697 36.009 42.135 56.230 Trafford Park 10.450 15.500 13.300 24.200 28.100 Tyne and Wear 4.000 24.016 35.800 37.750 40.500
Grant in aid paid to UDCS 1987–1992—£ million 1987–1988 prices 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 Black Country 2.443 24.662 43.428 39.556 61.123 Bristol — 0.303 5.714 16.599 25.302 Central Manchester — 2.681 12.571 17.310 21.168 Leeds — 2.941 9.999 17.310 17–992 London Docklands 82.800 124.827 257.998 411.707 329.043 Merseyside 20.942 22.019 26.286 29.674 33.651 Sheffield — 8.533 10.857 23.452 17.596 Teesside 5000 22.193 41.153 52.098 74.392 Trafford Park 10.450 16.620 15.199 29.922 37.176 Tyne and Wear 4.000 25.751 40–914 46.676 53.582