HC Deb 15 August 1901 vol 99 cc1126-8

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1:—

Amendment proposed— In page 1, line 12, after 'hundred,' to insert 'subject to revision in accordance with this Act and.'"—(Sir Jas. Haslett.)

Question proposed, "That those words be there inserted."

MR. T. M. HEALY

said he was in favour of assisting the Government to pass the Bill, but it was well they should know what the exact position was. The hon. Member opposite was a member of the Belfast Corporation and represented one section of the population in Belfast, and it was desirable that any Amendment he proposed should be considered in a fair spirit. The Bill now before the Committee was an entirely different Bill from the measure which was read a second time, and he had some doubt as to whether the title would cover the proposal of the Government. However, he would close his eyes to that, as the Bill would be for the benefit of the public in Belfast; but it should not be all give on their part and all take on the part of the Government. He wished to know whether the Government would accede to his proposition, not that appeals should be suspended, but that the time limit for them should be extended. He had had no opportunity of putting his Amendment on the Paper.

MR. WYNDHAM

said he desired to indicate the attitude of the Government on the matter. His hon. friend the Member for North Belfast had moved an Amendment in which the hon. and learned Member for North Louth had concurred. The hon. and learned Member wished to know what was the attitude of the Government as to the question of extending the time for appeals. That proposal, or rather a proposal somewhat akin to it, was put before him yesterday, and for his part he would not object to it. There appeared to be a consensus of opinion that the period during which appeals should be lodged should be extended.

MR. DILLON

said he desired to know what would be the exact effect of the two Amendments standing in the name of the hon. Member for North Belfast. He was not absolutely clear as to how it was proposed that the revision should be carried out. As he understood it, it was proposed that certain new buildings which under ordinary circumstances would be valued by the revisers and added to the rating list should be brought in under the Act. How could that be done? Was it to be done under the new or the old system?

MR. ATKINSON

said the Amendment of his hon. friend provided that the revision would be carried out on the old valuation.

MR. TULLY

asked whether the final report of Commissioner Barton would be issued.

MR. ATKINSON

said it would not be necessary.

Clause 1 agreed to.

Clause 2:—

MR. T. M. HEALY

moved to insert words extending the time of appeal to the 1st of March, 1903.

Amendment agreed to.

SIR JAMES HASLETT (Belfast, N.)

said he desired to move an Amendment that the revaluation might at the option of the appellent be computed as from the 1st of November, 1902.

MR. T. M. HEALY

said that that would shorten the time by six months.

Bill reported; as amended considered; an Amendment made. Bill read the third time, and passed.