asked the Minister for the Environment if he will state in respect of each county for 1983 the number of ratepayers; the number of rate collectors; the amount of revenue raised by rates; and the cost of collecting the rates.

As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement I propose to have it circulated in the Official Report.

Notes

1. Number of ratepayers not available, figures in column 1 relate to number of rate demands issued.

2. Number of rate collectors (based on returns from local authorities showing employment at 31 December 1983) includes a number of officers whose duties embrace rate collection and other revenue collection, including rents.

3. The estimated cost of collection is as included in the relevant county council's estimates for 1983 and includes costs associated with the administration of the grants in lieu of rates (the grants amounted to £277.5 million in 1983).

Has the Minister the total of the columns for the amount of revenue collected and the cost of collecting the rates?

Rates collected in the year and the estimated cost of rates collection in the year, yes. The Deputy asked a question; there is a very formidable list here and it is the normal practice of the House that this statement is not read.

What are the totals?

4.