asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he considers it will be possible to introduce a local income tax to supplement or replace local rates.

I shall announce the Government's conclusions on the future of domestic rates and on the possible alternative sources of local revenue, including local income tax, as soon as possible, once the current review is completed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement about reform of the rating system.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to announce a Government response to the consultations on the Green Paper "Alternatives to the Domestic Rates".

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now announce the result of the consultation on the reform of domestic rating.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he intends to bring forward any proposals to abolish the domestic rating system.

I refer my hon. Friends and the hon. Gentlemen to the answer I gave earlier today to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Sussex (Mr. Renton).

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what would be the cost of (a) abolition of the non-domestic rate, (b) a reduction of 10 per cent. in non-domestic rate and (c) the abolition of water and sewage charges to households not engaged in commercial activity.

I shall answer this question shortly.