HC Deb 10 April 2001 vol 366 cc504-6W
Mr. Green

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many businesses in rural areas have applied for rate relief under the terms of the Rural Taskforce package announced on 20 March. [158001]

Mr. Meacher

It is for local authorities to operate the discretionary hardship rate relief scheme for businesses affected by foot and mouth disease in rural areas and take up will depend on what type of scheme is introduced by the authority. It is too early to estimate how many businesses will apply for these schemes.

Mr. Green

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many of the measures announced by the Minister for the Environment in his statement on foot and mouth of 20 March 2001,Official Report, columns 191–93, have been implemented in full; and if he will make a statement. [158004]

Mr. Meacher

Of the measures announced on 20th March, we have taken the statutory measures necessary to introduce additional financial support for local authority discretionary hardship rate relief schemes to help businesses affected by foot and mouth disease in rural areas and issued guidance to authorities. Implementation is for authorities and many have announced their intention to introduce a scheme. The deferral of tax, VAT and NIC payments is being considered on a case by case basis in response to applications by business. The Small Business Service is providing advice and business support and extension of the Small Firms Loan Guarantee Scheme was announced on 6th April. The details of operation of the matched funding scheme for charities were announced by the Countryside Agency on 28th March.

Mr. Green

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from the Local Government Association about(a) the cost of district councils' contribution to the rate relief package announced on 20 March and (b) the list of councils whose business ratepayers are eligible for relief. [157996]

Mr. Meacher

I and Ministerial colleagues have met with representatives of the Local Government Association to discuss operation of the discretionary hardship rate relief scheme for businesses affected by foot and mouth disease in rural areas. Members of the Association have put forward concerns on the application of the scheme to larger businesses, the 5 per cent. contribution made by local authorities, and additions to the list of 151 authorities to whom the scheme applies.

Mr. Green

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received from district councils about the cost of their contribution to the rate relief package announced on 20 March. [157995]

Mr. Meacher

I have received representations from district councils with mixed urban and rural areas who have sought to be included with the 151 rural authorities who will benefit from the higher rate of contribution to the costs of hardship rate relief which I have made available.

In addition I understand that some small rural district authorities are concerned that it will be difficult for them to find the 5 per cent. of the cost which the scheme requires.

Mr. Green

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many times the Rural Taskforce has met; and what budget has been allocated to it. [157994]

Mr. Meacher

The Rural Taskforce has now met four times under my chairmanship, and the fifth meeting will be on Wednesday 11 April. The costs involved in providing support for the Taskforce are being met from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions' running costs budget.