HC Deb 26 March 2001 vol 365 c461W
Mr. Chope

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets have been given to the Valuation Office for the time scale within which appeals against the 2000 rating list must be determined.[155038]

Dawn Primarolo

The Valuation Office Agency's targets for 2001–02 will be published shortly.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if it is the policy of the Government that small businesses should have priority in the determination of their appeals against the 2000 rating list; and if he will make a statement. [155036]

Dawn Primarolo

Appeals are programmed so that properties of a similar type are considered together but the Valuation Office will give priority to appeals where the ratepayer would otherwise suffer hardship.