§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to bring forward proposals in relation to rates in the domestic sector. [152209]
§ Mr. PearsonI have already announced that I propose to replace the current rental based domestic rating with a system based on market values and I plan to bring forward detailed proposals on the reform of the domestic rating system before Easter this year.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of the level of domestic rates in the next financial year in Northern Ireland of the phasing out of industrial de-rating. [152210]
§ Mr. PearsonThe phasing out of industrial de-rating is scheduled to commence in April 2005 so there is no impact on the level of domestic rates in the next (2004–05) financial year.