§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the amount of national non-domestic rates not collected as a result of local authorities providing offices to hon. Members free of charge. [20263]
Ms Amstrong[holding answer 11 December 1997]: No. Local authority property is liable for rates. The use of that property by hon. Members does not affect that liability. Each billing authority has a statutory duty to collect the rates due on properties in its area—including those on its own properties. It is for the auditors to check whether an authority has fulfilled its statutory responsibilities in this regard.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will estimate the revenues lost by local authorities as a result of concessions made to hon. Members whose constituency offices are provided rent free by local authorities. [20266]
§ Sir Norman FowlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what rules apply to councils making available local offices free of business rates to Members of Parliament; and if he will make a statement; [20384]
729W(2) what data his Department collates on councils making available local offices free of business rates to Members of Parliament; if he will estimate the cost of such arrangements; and if he will make a statement. [20385]
§ Ms ArmstrongThe terms on which local authorities make local offices available to hon. Members is a matter for them. Local authority property is liable for rates. The use of that property by hon. Members does not affect that liability. Each billing authority has a statutory duty to collect the rates due on properties in its area—including those on its own properties. It is for the auditors to check whether an authority has fulfilled its statutory responsibilities in this regard.