HC Deb 24 July 1996 vol 282 c332W
Mr. Lord

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those industries for which he prescribes the non-domestic rateable value; and if he will make a statement. [39662]

Mr. Curry

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I currently prescribe the rateable values of the National Grid, National Power, PowerGen and other electricity generators, British Gas, British Rail, Railtrack, London Underground and all electricity distribution companies, water supply companies and certain statutory docks and harbours. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, under separate powers, prescribes the rateable values of utility undertakings in Scotland, including British Gas, water authorities, electricity companies, railways and certain docks and harbours.

It is our intention that from the date of the next revaluation—1 April 2000—these industries should be conventionally assessed by the Valuation Office in England and Wales and the Scottish Assessors in Scotland.

To this end, the Valuation Office is currently working with the industries to determine the feasibility of conventional assessment; and the Scottish Assessors Association has set up the public utilities co-ordination committee to work with the industries in Scotland.

We are also setting up an advisory committee to examine how the plant and machinery of the industries should be treated under conventional assessment, and we are today inviting applications from people interested in chairing or serving on that committee. Its terms of reference will be:

  • To consider:
    1. (i) the extent to which the plant and machinery of industries currently subject to prescribed assessments would be rateable under existing legislation; and,
    2. (ii) having regard to the financial and other considerations involved, to recommend any legislative changes required to ensure fairness of treatment and consistency with the principles that underlie present legislation governing the rating of plant and machinery in the UK.

Further details can be obtained from my Department.

I expect the committee to report by the end of September 1997.