MR. PATRICK O'BRIENOn behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the following notice in the Belfast Valuations Book of 1860, to the effect that the whole of the valuations of tenements in the book, being liable to appeal and amendment, are not to be accepted as the settled valuations;
† See page 965.1173 and that the lists when completed are issued in manuscript only, and may be inspected at the union workhouse or at the office of the city treasurer; whether he is aware that over 7,000 appeals, covering 10,000 ratings, have been forwarded this year to the Commissioner of Valuation; that public meetings of protest against the increases of valuations have been held; and that dissatisfaction prevails owing to the present primary lists having been used by the council of the city of Belfast in striking the current year's rates instead of the final lists as specified in 15 and 16 Vic., c. 63; and whether he can explain why the present Commissioner of Valuation has not followed the precedent of 1860.
§ MR. ATKINSONI am not aware whether the facts are as stated in the first paragraph. Such a proceeding would be inapplicable, however, at the present time, as the Adaptation of Irish Enactments Order, 1899, issued under the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, provides that the rate is to be struck on the lists as issued by the 1st March, and that if any valuation is afterwards increased on appeal the borough council may make an extra levy on account of it, or, if the valuation is reduced, they shall make a repayment equal to the excess rate paid. The Commissioner of Valuation has, in regard to the borough revaluation, strictly followed the procedure laid down in the Valuation Acts and the statutes amending same.
MR. PATRICK O'BRIENOn behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a resolution was passed at a special meeting of Belfast city council on 25th March asking for a revaluation of the city, making a re-adjustment of valuations so as to place the older properties and valuations on a similar basis to those of more recent date, and stating that the allowance for annual upkeep was insufficient, and that if the present valuation be persisted in it would operate injuriously on the citizens and retard the development of the city, and asking that parties appealing shall be heard by 1174 the valuer, and facility given for appellants giving evidence and expenses of appeals be thereby reduced to a minimum; and whether he will arrange that those facilities be given to appellants.
§ MR. ATKINSONThe council applied under the 65th section of the Local Government Act for a general revaluation of the rateable hereditaments of the borough. That has been carried out in accordance with statutory provisions. Facilities will be given to those who appealed to put their views before the proper authority prior to the issue of the appeal lists. Precautions will be taken to ensure that this shall be done without incurring unnecessary expense.