To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to reduce the waiting time for business rating appeals to be dealt with in central region. [32543]

[holding answer 6 July 1995]: In line with Valuation Office agency national policy, the current aim is to clear the vast majority of rating appeals made before 1 April 1995 by 31 March 1996.It is expected that nationally, England and Wales, 330,000 1990 and 1995 rating list appeals will be cleared during this financial year.