§ THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will consider introducing legislation to relieve houses in Scotland of liability for rates, when empty, without the necessity of removing the roof.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF WORKS (LORD MORRISON)My Lords, in Scotland, an owner remains liable for owner's rates, even if the property is unoccupied, so long as the house retains a rateable value. The Government have no evidence of any recent cases in which roofs have been removed from dwelling-houses in order to avoid this liability. Inquiries which have been made from time to time have suggested that roofs have been removed only where there was a danger of their collapsing. I am informed that it is usual to reduce the rateable value of unoccupied property if the owner has made genuine but unsuccessful efforts to let it.
§ THE EARL OF SELKIRKMy Lords, may I ask the Government whether they will consider introducing legislation covering this particular point when they have had the opportunity of considering the Report of the Gowers Committee, which I understand is likely to be before them in the near future? I should also like to ask whether the Government will look a little further into the cases of houses in rural areas which have had their roofs 760 taken away for the purpose of removing the rateable value.
§ LORD MORRISONMy Lords, I can only repeat that the Government have no information that this practice is going on in Scotland. If the noble Earl can give us any information to that effect. I have no doubt it will be looked into. I am sure that if it is found that such a practice is going on, legislation to deal with it will be considered. Doubtless when the legislation dealing with the Gowers Report is brought before the House the matter will come up for consideration.