To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many individual premises are classified by the Valuation Office Agency for business rates purposes as golf courses. (141815)

The number of properties described as “golf course” in the 2005 Rating Lists for England, at 31 March 2007, is 1,928.

In addition to the number shown, there may be other golf courses that are secondary to a main assessment (e.g. with hotels). There may also be courses that are exempt from rating, if held as part of a larger public park and available for free and unrestricted use by the public.