Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many applications have been made for relief of hardship under section 49 of the Local Government and Finance Act 1988 from small businesses for each year since the introduction of the uniform business rate.
§ Mr. Robin SquireInformation on the number of applications for relief which have been received by local authorities is not available. In 1990–91, 13 authorities granted hardship relief totalling £23,582. Of the 346 authorities which have so far submitted returns for 1991–92, 47 have granted relief totalling £166,501.