asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to direct local authorities to impose rate surcharges under Section 16 of the Local Government Act 1974 upon the owners rather than the tenants of office buildings.

I have no proposals at present for legislation amending Section 16 of the Local Government Act 1974, under which the person liable to the surcharge is the person entitled to possession of the premises concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is satisfied with the working of Section 16 of the Local Government Act 1974.

It is too soon for me to form a considered judgment about the working of Section 16 of the Local Government Act 1974.