§ Mr. BurdenTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to monitor the time being taken to(a) inspect properties where householders have submitted council tax appeals and (b) schedule appeals for hearings.
§ Mr. Nelson[holding answer 9 May 1994]: Together with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, I am keeping under close review the progress being made by the Valuation Office Agency and the valuation tribunals in the settlement of council tax appeals and we expect 80 per cent. of cases to be cleared by the end of 1994.
Monthly returns of clearance are received in order to monitor progress, but there are no plans to monitor the time taken to inspect properties and to schedule appeals for hearings during the clearance process.