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Illegal Meat Imports

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with other Government Departments on the (a) level of illegal meat imports to the UK and (b) effectiveness of port controls and enforcement measures, in respect of his own Department's responsibility in overseeing local authority ports and airports. [19546]

Mr. Jamieson: Local authority ownership of certain ports and airports does not result in any DTLR responsibility in relation to meat imports. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs leads the Government's work in this area. Officials from my Department take part in discussions with DEFRA as necessary.

3 Dec 2001 : Column: 28W

Holiday Accommodation

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what was the total number of dwellings in each local authority in England and Wales in the last four years for which figures are available for which a business rate was payable in respect of their use as holiday accommodation. [19431]

Dr. Whitehead: The number of premises in England which are subject to non-domestic rates and let as self-catering holiday homes in the last four years is as follows:

Year	Number
1998–99	14,607
1999–2000	14,589
2000–01	15,145
2001–02	15,398

While most of these premises are homes, the figures do include accommodation units that are purpose built for holiday letting and could not be used as homes. It is not possible to segregate these two types of property. The figures do not include premises where it is not intended that the property is let as holiday accommodation for more than 140 days in a year as these are subject to council tax and not to non-domestic rates.

I will write separately to the hon. Member with equivalent figures for each local authority in England.

The rating of holiday accommodation in Wales is a matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

Council Tax

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what level of total council tax discount was made in each local authority in England and Wales for the last five years for which figures are available in respect of (a) furnished second residences privately owned for recreational investment or other private purposes, (b) all categories of privately owned empty properties, whether furnished or substantially unfurnished, (c) properties available to the armed forces or visiting forces accommodation, (d) halls of residence and (e) other categories subject to a 50 per cent. discount; and what was the total amount. [19432]

Dr. Whitehead: The information is not available in the breakdown requested, and reliable estimates are not available for individual local authorities.

The council tax bill for a dwelling that is no-one's main home, or where all the occupants are disregarded for council tax purposes is currently reduced by 50 per cent. in each local authority in England. In 2001–02 in England 588,942 properties were entitled to a 50 per cent. discount, at a total estimated cost of £220 million. Of this total, it is estimated that £80 million relates to second homes, £125 million relates to empty homes and £15 million relates to dwellings where all the occupants are disregarded.

3 Dec 2001 : Column: 29W

In addition, the following classes of dwellings prescribed in legislation are exempt from council tax:

Class A

Exemption for: Empty and substantially unfurnished dwellings where works are required, under way or recently completed (valid for up to 12 months)

Class B

Exemption for: Empty dwellings owned by charities

Class C

Exemption for: Dwellings left empty and substantially unfurnished (valid for up to 6 months)

Class D

Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by prisoners

Class E

Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by patients in hospitals and care homes

Class F

Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by deceased persons

Class G

Exemption for: Dwellings where occupation is prohibited by public law

Class H

Exemption for: Empty clergy dwellings

Class I

Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by people receiving care

Class J

Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by people providing care

Class K

Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by students

Class L

Exemption for: Repossessed dwellings

Class M

Exemption for: Halls of residence

Class N

Exemption for: Dwellings occupied only by students or school leavers

Class O

Exemption for: Armed forces' accommodation

Class P

Exemption for: Visiting forces' accommodation

Class Q

Exemption for: Dwellings left empty by bankrupts

Class R

Exemption for: Empty caravan pitches and boat moorings

Class S

Exemption for: Dwellings occupied by minors only

Class T

Exemption for: Empty annexes which cannot be let separately

Class U

Exemption for: Dwellings occupied only by persons who are severely mentally impaired

Class W

Exemption for: Annexes occupied by dependent relatives.

In 2001–02, 646,128 properties in England were exempt from paying council tax at a total estimated cost of £480 million. Of this total, we estimate that £50 million relates to accommodation for armed forces or visiting forces, and £15 million relates to halls of residence.

3 Dec 2001 : Column: 30W

"Council Tax: A consultation paper on proposed changes for second homes and long term empty homes" was published by DTLR on 23 November 2001. This paper invites views on a range of proposed changes to council tax discounts and exemptions in England, and includes questions on how best to define second homes and long-term empty homes.

Operation of the council tax system in Wales is a devolved matter for the National Assembly for Wales.

Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the anticipated average percentage change in Band D council tax in England in 2002–03. [19889]

Dr. Whitehead: Decisions on council tax are for local authorities to take, after consulting with their local electorate and taxpayers.

Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the likely use of his reserve powers to regulate council tax set by English local authorities in 2002–03. [19890]

Dr. Whitehead: Decisions on council tax are for local authorities to take, after consulting with their local electorate and taxpayers. This Government do not operate a system of crude and universal pre-announced capping.

Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the circumstances in which the Government would use their reserve powers to regulate the Greater London Authority council tax precept. [19891]

Dr. Whitehead: Decisions on the GLA council tax precept are for the GLA to take, after consulting with their local electorate and taxpayers. This Government do not operate a system of crude and universal pre-announced capping.

Mr. Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what impact the heightened state of alert against terrorism will have on the level of council tax in English local authorities in the context of increased civil defence and emergency planning expenditure; and if he will make a statement. [19596]

Dr. Whitehead: Decisions on council tax levels are a matter for local authorities after consulting with their local electorate and taxpayers. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week made available an additional £30 million towards the extra security pressures on police authorities in England and Wales for 2001–02.

Mr. Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what action the Government are taking in respect of the charging of council tax on empty homes. [19603]

Dr. Whitehead: "Council Tax: A consultation paper on proposed changes for second homes and long term empty homes" was published by DTLR on Friday 23 November.

Copies of this consultation paper have been placed in the House of Commons Library and can be found at www.local.dtlr.gov.uk/finance/ctax/2homes

3 Dec 2001 : Column: 31W

Right to Buy

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will curtail the right to buy in areas covered by urban regeneration initiatives. [19719]

Ms Keeble: No. As we said last year in our Housing Green Paper "Quality and Choice: a decent home for all", we do not intend to make any further significant changes to the right to buy scheme.

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