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24 July 2006 : Column 912W—continued
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the latest estimate is of the average domestic rates bill per dwelling that will be paid in 2007-08 in (a) Northern Ireland as a whole and (b) each district in Northern Ireland. [86819]
Mr. Hanson: The average rate bill for domestic properties in Northern Ireland in 2007-08 is estimated at £705. This figure takes into account the planned 6 per cent. increase in the regional rate between 2006-07 and 2007-08, but also assumes that the district rate set by councils will also increase by an average of 6 per cent. during this time.
The following table the information for each district council in Northern Ireland. Again, these assume that both regional and district rates will increase by 6 per cent. in 2007-08.
| Average domestic rate bills (projected) 2007-08 | |
| £ | |
It should also be noted that none of the estimates given take account of those households which will be in receipt of any of the domestic rate reliefs which will be available, such as housing benefit, the new rate relief scheme or transitional relief.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average domestic rates bill per dwelling was in (a) Northern Ireland as a whole and (b) each district in Northern Ireland in 2006-07. [86820]
Mr. Hanson: The average domestic rate liability for properties in Northern Ireland in 2006-07, combining both regional and district rates, is estimated at £668.
The following table provides the information for each district council in Northern Ireland.
These estimates show only the average rate liability for properties, as information is not available on the level of housing benefit that each household may receive.
| Average domestic rate liability 2006-07 (£) | |
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the latest estimate is of the net revenue to be raised from domestic rates in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2007-08. [86821]
Mr. Hanson: Domestic rates consist of two elements, the Regional Rate, set by the Secretary of State on a uniform basis across Northern Ireland, and the district rate, set separately by each district council relevant to the location of the property The current estimates of total revenue to be raised from domestic rates in 2006-07 and 2007-08 are detailed in the table as follows.
| Total estimated domestic rate revenue | ||
| £ million | ||
| ( 1) Regional rate | ( 2) District rate | |
| (1) Based on domestic Regional Rate increases of 19 per cent. in 2006-07 and 6 per cent. in 2007-08 as set out in Northern Ireland Priorities and Budget 2006-08. (2) District councils set their rate in February of the preceding year so figure for 2007-08 not yet available. | ||
These estimates will be subject to revision as information is updated.
Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the expected change in the regional domestic rate levy is for 2007-08; and what the change was in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2005-06. [86844]
Mr. Hanson: The expected change in the regional domestic rate levy for 2007-08 is £21.2 million. The estimated changes in (a) 2006-07 and (b) 2005-06 are £42.1 million and £26.3 million respectively.
Driving Tests
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average length of time a person waited to sit a driving test at each test centre in Northern Ireland was in the last period for which figures are available. [86301]
David Cairns: Average waiting times for practical driving tests during week ending 15 July 2006 for each test centre are shown in the following table.
| Test centre | Average waiting time (weeks) |
Mrs. Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have sat and (a) failed their first driving test and (b) passed first time at each centre in Northern Ireland in the last three years. [86302]
David Cairns: Information on the number of individual candidates involved is not available. However, details of the number of tests conducted in the period 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2006 are as follows.
| Number | |||
| Centre | Tests conducted | Failed first test | Passed first test |
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