§ Michael Fabricant:To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of how much will be paid back to telecommunications companies in respect of appeals against business rates in England and Wales made since the conclusion of the administrative period for the 2000 list. [149195]
§ Phil Hope:None. The 2000–05 rating lists are still open to appeals by ratepayers against their rateable values. It is for the National Assembly for Wales to comment on the position in Wales.
§ Michael Fabricant:To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many appeals by telecommunications companies in respect of the (a) 1995 and (b) 2000 list valuations remain outstanding. [149205]
§ Phil Hope:At the end of 2003, the numbers of outstanding appeals in England for telecommunication properties on a) the 1995–2000 lists and b) the 2000–05 lists were respectively a) 1,013 and b) 11,248. These figures include both telecommunication properties on the central rating list (in respect of which payments of rates are made direct to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister), and properties such as telecommunication masts, telephone kiosks, telephone exchanges on the local rating lists (where payments are made to local authorities, and then forwarded by them to my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister).
In the case of Wales, it is matter for the National Assembly for Wales.