Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) business and (b) domestic rate payers are in arrears with their 1992–93 rates payments in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. AtkinsRate collection operational matters are the responsibility of Mr. David Gallagher, chief executive of the Rate Collection Agency. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from D. W. Gallagher to Mr. William O'Brien, dated 4 June 1993.
You recently asked a Parliamentary Question about how many business and domestic ratepayers were in arrears with their 1992–93 rates payments in Northern Ireland. As I am responsible for the Rate Collection Agency, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has asked me to reply.
At 31 March 1993 there were 666,026 rated properties in Northern Ireland of which 171,237 were owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive which collects rates together with rent fortnightly from its tenants and pays the rates in bulk to the Rate Collection Agency. Of the remaining properties 5,852 non-domestic and 23,729 domestic had arrears outstanding at 31 March 1993.
Should you require any further information please let me know.