§ MR. MALCOLM (Suffolk, Stowmarket)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board, if he is aware that, in the parish of Combs, Suffolk, the poor rates formerly averaged 2s. 6d. in the pound, whereas since 1894 they have risen to 3s. 8d. in the pound; and this, together with a Highway Rate of 1s. 8d. and a Parish Council Rate of 3d., makes in all a total rate of 5s. 7d. in the pound; whether he is further aware that during the first year of the Parish Council there were no ratepayers on the Council, and that on the new Council only one councillor pays rates; and whether he can take steps to protect the ratepayers from such large expenditure.
§ MR. CHAPLINI have communicated with the Overseers of the Parish of Combs and with the Guardians of the Stow Union on the subject of the Question of my hon. Friend. The Overseers state that the total rates levied in 1895 amounted to us. 7d. in the pound, but they are unable to verify the statement in the Question as to the average poor rate formerly, as the years on which 171 the average is based are not given. The rates for 1895, I am informed, include a School Board rate of 1s. 2d. in the pound, and it is stated that there has been a gradual increase in the rates during the last three years, which has been partly caused by a considerable reduction in the assessment of agricultural land, and that there has been an increase in the out-relief of the Union. I am informed that during the first year of the Parish Council none of the Members were directly assessed to the Poor Rate, but that the only direct ratepayer who was nominated at the recent election was elected. I cannot render any assistance as suggested in the Question. The Members of the Local Authorities are elected by the Parochial electors.