§ MR. ERNEST GRAY (West Ham, N.)I beg to ask the Solicitor General whether the rate in the pound, as mentioned in Section 97 of the Elementary Education Act, 1870, and referred to in the Resolution of 5th April last, is the rate stated on the Demand Note of the rating authority and actually paid by the ratepayers, or the nominal rate determined by the proportion between the amount required by the School Board paid by the rating authority and expended in the year and the gross rateable value of the district, regardless of the amount which the ratepayer must find to cover the loss through compounding, cost of collection, bad debts, and empty houses?
§ SIR J. GORSTPerhaps the hon. Member will allow me to answer the Question. I am advised that the rate in the pound, mentioned in Section 97 of the Act of 1870, and referred to in the Resolution of April 5, is not precisely either of the two rates mentioned in the Question. It means the rate in the pound on the rateable value of the district which produces the sum required in a year ending September 29 for the purpose of the annual expenses of the Board, and actually paid in that year to the treasurer by the rating authority. Thus it is the rate which yields as its net produce the sum so required and paid, a somewhat higher rate than that yielding the same sum as its nominal or gross produce.