asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the cost of derating commercially rated property by 15 per cent. in the current financial year.

The cost in England and Wales—taking commercial property as shops, offices, public houses, hotels, restaurants, holiday camps, warehouses, garages, advertising stations and markets—would be about £450 million in 1982—83.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will take steps as soon as possible to prevent any business or industrial ratepayer being faced with an increase in rate payable on a property of constant rateable value in excess of the rate of inflation.

A number of submissions suggesting measures to help non-domestic ratepayers were made following publication of the Green Paper, "Alternatives to Domestic Rates"—Cmnd. 8449. The Government are bearing them in mind in its current review.