HC Deb 25 February 1895 vol 30 cc1482-4
MR. R. G. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mr. L. Hayter, in a work entitled "The Financial Relations between London and the Imperial Exchequer," estimates the under valuation of Government property in London to be £300,000 a year, which means a loss for London of at least £87,500 per annum in rates; and whether the Government propose this Session to give relief to London ratepayers to this extent?

*MR. BARTLEY (Islington, N.)

also asked whether any local authorities had applied to the Treasury to consider the valuation of Government property in London; and, if so, whether he could state how many and with what results?

*SIR J. HIBBERT

The Treasury cannot accept Mr. Hayter's estimates of the under valuation of Government property in London. The subject, however, has been and is receiving their most careful consideration. Applications have been received from nine of the principal vestries and assessment authorities of the Metropolis. Of these, personal interviews have been held with representatives of four, and the claims of the most important of them all—viz., the vestry of the, united parishes of St. Margaret and St. John, Westminster—have been already settled to their expressed satisfaction. The others are being dealt with in a manner which I trust will be equally satisfactory.

MR. R. G. WEBSTER

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give the House further information with regard to the whole of the cases when the House is in Committee of Supply?

*SIR J. T. HIBBERT

Certainly.

SIR A. K. ROLLIT (Islington, S.)

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether any protest has been made against the valuation of the Government values, and whether the satisfaction expressed has been based on an agreement as to the real value, or whether it is because of a disclaimer of legality?

*SIR J. T. HIBBERT

No, Sir. The letter received was from the united vestries as to the arrangement come to by vestries and the Government valuer, and they have expressed their entire satisfaction with the result. I am not in a position to express what the amount is, but I think it will be satisfactory to my hon. Friend.