Section 1 Rates rebates.

The Secretary of State may by order make provision obliging rating authorities to grant rebates, of amounts determined as provided in the order, in respect of the rates (including domestic water rates) levied in respect of such financial year as is prescribed in the order on lands and heritages which qualify under subsection (2) below for such rebate.

The lands and heritages which qualify for rebate are lands and heritages the revaluation rateable value of which is greater than3) times their pre-revaluation rateable value but excluding—

In subsection (2) above—

• the “revaluation rateable value” of lands and heritages is, subject to subsection (4) below, their rateable value entered in the valuation roll as at 1st April 1985;

• the “pre-revaluation rateable value” of lands and heritages is their rateable value entered in the valuation roll as at 31st March 1985.

Where the revaluation rateable value of lands and heritages is reduced in order to give effect to an alteration in their value which is due to a material change of circumstances (within the meaning of the M5Local Government (Scotland) Act 1975), that reduced rateable value shall, for the purposes of this Act after such reduction, be deemed to be the revaluation rateable value of the lands and heritages.

In subsection (1) above, “financial year” means the period of twelve months ending with the 31st March in 1986 or in any year thereafter.

An order under this section may contain incidental and supplemental provision.

An order under this section may be made only with the consent of the Treasury.

An order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall not have effect until approved by a resolution of the Commons House of Parliament.