§ SIR ALBERT SPICER (Hackney, Central)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the New Zealand Commissioner of Taxes, as published by the Colonial Office in Cd. 3191, in which he states that in no case where the system of rating on the unimproved value has been carried out has the former system of rating been reverted to, and the ratepayers as a rule, with few exceptions, are decidedly in favour of the system, and the approval is strengthened as time goes on and the effect of it is seen; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation enabling local authorities to make a similar rating reform in this country.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I have seen the report referred to. I am not at present in a position to make any promise to introduce legislation to the effect suggested.