§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the financial gain to small businesses of his change in policy in 1997–98 regarding business rates; and how much and what share of that benefit accrues to businesses in west Dunbartonshire. [12760]
§ Mr. KynochThe Scottish Office estimates that the benefits to small businesses from the measures on business rates announced in the November 1996 budget total some £8 million in 1996–97. Information is not held centrally on the precise benefits to small businesses in west Dunbarton. The Scottish Office model of the effects of these measures indicate that small businesses in the former Dunbartonshire district will benefit by approximately £90,000 in 1997–98 and businesses in the former Clydebank district will benefit by approximately £40,000. Together these represent a 1.6 per cent. share of the total estimated benefits to small businesses in Scotland.