§ MR. HICKSasked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether it is a fact that the Local Government Board has given an opinion to the effect that the 13th and 14th Vic. c. 99, by which owners of small tenements have been liable for payment of Highway Rates levied on their tenants, has been repealed by the 32nd and 33rd Vic. c. 41, s. 6; and, if this is so, whether the Government will bring in a short Bill to place the owners of small tenements in the same position as regards Highway Rates as they now are as regards Poor Rates?
§ MR. DODSONSir, it is not a fact that the Local Government Board have advised that the 13 & 14 Vict. c. 99, by which owners of small tenements could be made liable or could compound for the rates assessed on their tenants, has been repealed by the 32 & 33 Vict. c. 41, s. 6, as that section only repeals the latter Act so far as regards the poor rate. The Board have, however, advised that the Act 13 & 14 Vict. c. 99, has, as regards the highway rate, been repealed by the Statute Law Revision Act, 1875 (38 & 39 Vict. c. 66). There can be no doubt that it is desirable that highway rates should, as regards the assessing of owners and the power to compound, be placed on the same footing as poor rates; but I am afraid I could not undertake to introduce a Bill for the purpose during the present Session. At the same time, I am considering the expediency of amending the law relating to the making and collection of rates with a view to its simplification, and hope to be able to deal with the matter next year.