HC Deb 13 May 1999 vol 331 cc176-7W
Mr. Pound

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the Review of the Valuation and Lands Agency. [84335]

Mr. Paul Murphy

On 27 February 1998,Official Report, columns 413–14, I announced to the House the Review of the Valuation and Lands Agency. Each Agency undergoes a periodic review to evaluate performance and to reconsider whether agency status is the best way of doing the job.

I am pleased to announce that this Review is now complete. It has found that there have been substantial improvements in productivity and efficiency, and in the overall quality of service to customers. The Review recommends that the Valuation and Lands Agency should remain an Agency within the Department of Finance and Personnel.

The Review goes on to recommend that a feasibility study should be carried out into the possibility of a merger with the Rate Collection Agency. The decision, under devolved arrangements, to transfer the Rate Collection Agency to the Department of Finance and Personnel should facilitate such a study and I have commended the findings in the Review Report to the First Minister (Designate) and deputy First Minister (Designate).

I am placing a copy of the Report in the Library today. Work will continue on a revised Framework Document and this will become a matter for the devolved administration in Northern Ireland to approve in due course.