MR. WHITWORTHasked the President of the Local Government Board, If he is aware that in the Annual Local Taxation Returns for England and Wales just issued the Government subvention granted out of the Consolidated Fund, amounting to £2,146,274, is described as taxation levied by rates falling on rateable property; also that £3,902,019 received for the supply of gas and water, and for improvements effected by local authorities for private owners, at the request of such owners, 1184 are included among the urban sanitary rates falling on rateable property; and, if he will take the necessary steps to have future Returns presented in an accurate form?
§ MR. DODSONThe amount received by local authorities in respect of rates and the Treasury subventions in aid of rates are separately shown in the Re-turn, and in the Memorandum which precedes it. The Returns show that £2,146,274 is received from Imperial taxation, and this sum appears under the head of Imperial taxation as distinguished from Local taxation. The sum entered in the Return as received from rates includes the amounts which are received in respect of gas, water, and improvement rates. The amounts thus received in the several districts are shown in the Return, although the totals are not separately set forth in the Memorandum. It may, however, be desirable to set forth in the Memorandum the facts in more detail, so as to avoid any possible misapprehension on the part of persons who do not refer to the detailed Returns, and the question will be considered before the Return for the next year is issued.