Written question asked by Teddy Taylor (Conservative) on Wednesday, 30 October 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 November 2002. It was answered by Nick Raynsford (Labour) on Thursday, 7 November 2002 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate she has made of the benefit accruing to agriculture from the exemption of agricultural buildings from the payment of local rates.

Answer: Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the benefit accruing to agriculture from the exemption of agricultural buildings from payment of local rates. [79261] Mr. Raynsford: I have been asked to reply. Agricultural land and buildings are exempt from rating under Schedule 5 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988. As a result, the Valuation Office Agency, whose responsibility it is to compile and maintain an accurate rating list, makes no assessment of the values of such properties and therefore there is no reliable basis on which to make an estimate.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 392 c615W;392 c627W; 79261
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Agriculture Buildings Land Exemptions Farms Rates and rating Business rates
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk