§ MR. DIXON-HARTLANDI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that a great deal of unpleasantness is being caused by the action of the London County Council, who, not satisfied with the parish assessments even when appealed against, are insisting upon re-raising the assessments; and whether they have the power to thus revise what has already been properly investigated and settled?
§ MR. RITCHIEI have not received any communication with reference to the action of the London County Council in the matter referred to. By the Valuation of Property (Metropolis) Act, 1869, any body of persons authorised by law to levy rates or to require contributions payable out of rates in the Metropolis may appeal to the Court of Quarter Sessions if they feel aggrieved by reason of the total gross value or rateable value of any parish being too high or too low, or if there be no approved valuation list for the parish. I assume that the appeals referred to are made by the London County Council under this provision, and it appears to me that the valuation lists cannot properly be considered as settled unless there has been an opportunity of appealing to the Quarter Sessions and such appeals have been decided.
§ MR. DIXON-HARTLANDThe question I ask has no reference to the 1934 gross and total assessment, but I wish to know whether the separate assessments in parishes have not been attempted to be raised?
§ MR. RITCHIEI understand that the appeal affects certain properties which had not been sufficiently rated. That being so, the appeal applies also to the total assessment.