HC Deb 15 March 1993 vol 221 cc81-2W
Mr. Llew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what contribution his Department made to the Environment information guide published in 1992 by the British Library.

Mr. Maclean

The authors of the guide consulted officials from the Department's library, in particular on the sections relating to Government Departments.

Mr. Alison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what methods and factors are adopted to place value for rating purposes on coal extracted for sale from the Selby coal field in relation to the operation of the uniform business rate.

Mr. Robin Squire

Rateable value is defined in paragraph 2(1) of schedule 6 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988. Paragraph 2(7)(c) makes the quantity of minerals or other substances in or extracted front the hereditament a relevant matter where the rateable value is determined with a view to making an alteration to the list. Regulations provide that half of the value of any mineral extracted is taken into the rateable value assessment.

In common with other mineral hereditaments, the Selby mine complex assessment is reviewed annually having regard to the annual rate of production and the rateable value is amended accordingly. The assessment also takes into account the land, buildings, rateable plant and machinery and the rights to win and work the mineral.

Mr. Alison

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what transitional relief was allowed against British Coal's assessment for rating for its activities in the Selby district in relation to the operation of the uniform business rate; and how such relief was calculated.

Mr. Robin Squire

The table shows the full liability without transitional relief, the amount payable with transitional relief and the amount saved, for the Selby coalfield.

Year Full Liability without Transition £ Amount paid £ Amount saved £
1990–91 3,288,245.62 1,069,514.48 2,218,731.14
1991–92 3,532,710.99 1,289,248.03 2,243,462.96
1992–93 5,606,509.48 3,265,792.20 2,340,717.28
Total 12,427,466.09 5,624,554.71 6,802,911.38

The information needed to explain how this relief was calculated and the information relating to Kellingley coalfield is not available at the present time.