§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) pursuant to his answers of 26 April 2001,Official Report, column 341W, if he will list by valuation office area the number of appeals (a) made and (b) decided at the most recent date for which the information is available; [160065]
(2) on what date the Valuation Office agency began its consultation on the approach and timetable for determining appeals for a temporary reduction in rating assessments on the grounds of the impact of foot and mouth disease; and when the consultation will be complete;[159961]
(3) what additional resources are being made available to the Valuation Office Agency to enable appeals for a temporary reduction in rating assessments on the grounds of the impact of foot and mouth to be decided quickly. [159962]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 1 May 2001]: The Valuation Office agency opened consultations about FMD with the national ratepayers valuation forum on 30 March 2001.
As I said in my answer of 26 April 2001, Official Report, column 341W, the Valuation Office is continuing to receive appeals. It is not possible to give a final figure.
The need for additional resource is being considered.