asked the Minister for the Environment if he will provide for the exemption of islanders from the payment of rates.
Written Answers. - Rates Exemption for Islanders.
114.
Rates on all domestic property, the domestic portion of mixed property, secondary schools, community halls, and farm buildings not previously derated, were abolished in 1978. Islands in common with the rest of the country benefit from these reliefs.
All land holdings under £20 rateable valuation qualify for full relief under the agricultural grants. As the majority of island holding of agricultural land have valuations of under £20 they are eligible for 100 per cent derating of their land.
I have no proposals to widen the existing schemes of rates relief.