§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will review the method used to define rural areas in the Non-Domestic Rating (Rural Areas and Rateable Value Limits) Scotland Order 1997; and if he will make a statement. [55303]
§ Mr. McLeishThe Village Shops Rate Relief Scheme was introduced on 1 April 1998 after extensive consultation, with the majority of consultees accepting that the General Register Office (Scotland) (GRO(S)) 1167W postcode method of urban/rural classification was the best available for the purposes of the Scheme. The GRO(S) classification method will be reviewed after the 2001 Census.