§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he received from Scottish Natural Heritage on the abolition of sporting rates in Scotland; and if he will place a copy in the Library.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 28 March 1994]: None.
§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the cost, by local authority area, of abolishing sporting rates in Scotland.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 28 March 1994]: There will be no cost to local authorities due to the loss of non-domestic rate income following the abolition of sporting rates in Scotland. Through the aggregate external finance mechanism any NDRI forgone will be compensated by an increase in revenue support grant.