Parliamentary Questions - Written Replies

RATES EXCLUSION: Sporting rights, covering shooting and fishing areas, are to be excluded from liability for non-domestic rates in Scotland to remove an anomaly with the rest of Britain, it was announced last night by Ian Lang, Secretary of State for Scotland. They will be excluded with effect from 1995, when other subjects will be revalued, by introducing a provision in the forthcoming Local Goverment Reform Bill, the Secretary of State said.

HOUSING GRANTS: The upper limit for mandatory renovation grants to owners, tenants and landlords will be set at pounds 20,000 and will come into force on 14 January, it was announced last night by Sir George Young, the minister for housing.

TOMORROW'S BUSINESS - Commons: Treasury questions; Prime Minister's Questions; Debate on parliamentary pension contributions; Debate on report on parliamentary questions; Debate on cash assistance to Opposition parties. Lords: European Economic Area Bill, Commons amendments; Roads (Northern Ireland) Order; Environment and Safety Information (Northern Ireland) Order.