§ 47. Mr. CASSELasked whether the Government is committed to the policy of taxing and rating land values; and whether it is their intention in carrying out that policy to respect rigidly the sanctity of contracts?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government have declared that in their projects of rating reform the rating of land values will be included. I am not aware that they have made any declaration in regard to the taxation of land values. Whatever form their proposals may take, due regard will certainly be paid to the validity of contracts already in existence.
§ Mr. CASSELIs it not the case that the rating of land values is one of the questions expressly referred to the Committee on Local Taxation, for whose Report we have been waiting for three years; and how is it that the Government, before the issue of that Report, have been able to-prejudge this particular question?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is a matter for argument.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODDo I understand that the reply of the right hon. Gentleman is that the question of rating land values stands exactly on the same footing as the question of a minimum wage for agricultural labourers, rent courts, and housing Grants?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo, Sir. I did not say so.