§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many game farms were registered for game bird rearing in the UK; and how many initiatives there were to identify the valuation relating to game bird farms in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [71942]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for the valuation of business property for rating purposes. One of the difficulties for valuation officers (VOs) in identifying game farms is the fact that most of them are in remote rural areas and operate on land which was, quite properly, exempt from rating as agricultural land.
Game farms are not exempt from rating, but VOs have difficulty in keeping their records up to date to show when land that was exempt is no longer in agricultural use and should be assessed as a game farm. Billing authorities are responsible for notifying the VOA when such changes take place, but this does not always happen.
In May 2000 the Game Farmers Association provided information to the VOA that there were about 400 game farms in the United Kingdom. This includes Scotland and Northern Ireland, for which the VOA has no responsibility.
The VOA also received representations from a number of bodies including Wales Opponents of Pheasant Shooting and Animal Aid, requesting confirmation that specified game farms are assessed for rating.
In addition, the VOA has been requested by the Game Farmers Association to ensure that their membership and others in the industry are all treated fairly in relation to rating.
The VOA has responded to these approaches by checking its records to identify which of these game farms are already assessed and which require to be assessed for rating purposes. A total of 40 additional game farms were included in rating lists as a result of this initiative.
The VOA does not hold details of the number of game farms registered for game bird rearing.
§ Mr. BreedTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many properties which were identified as operating as a game farm had not been assessed for non-domestic rates; and what proportion of those properties were(a) allowed to remain open and (b) closed down, in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available. [71943]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Valuation Office Agency (VOA) in England and Wales has assessed a total of 85 game farms for rating purposes.
It is not known how many game farms not in assessment that should properly be assessed.
The VOA takes action to assess game farms as soon as they are brought to their attention.
824WThe VOA has no statistical information as to the proportion of game farms that have remained open or have closed down in each of the last 10 years.