§ MR. DARLING (Deptford)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the disproportion at present existing in the Metropolis between the annual value of many properties occupied by or for the purposes of Her Majesty's Government and the estimated value upon which grants made by the Treasury in lieu of local rates are calculated, he will undertake to make adequate provision in the present Budget for such grants to be brought more into accord with the values upon which rates would be paid if the properties were in the occupation of ordinary tenants?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTwas understood to say that, in the absence of details of specific cases, he was unable to express any opinion on the point raised by the hon. Member.
§ MR. DARLINGBut in regard to the public buildings, are they not taken at lower annual value by the Government than their real value? And are not the graats made to those localities less in consequence than the rates which would be paid were the buildings in private occupation?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI am afraid I cannot discuss these facts now. It is quite true that in respect of Millbank Prison, having in view the proposal to erect working-class dwellings, I did authorise the sale to the London County Council for a sum less than the property would have fetched in the market.
§ MR. DARLINGAnd will not the result be that Westminster will receive from the Treasury a smaller local grant than it is fairly entitled to?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI do not understand that. If the hon. Member can supply me with any details I will look into the matter.