§ MR. J. D. WHITE (Dumbartonshire)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland why the Northern Lights Commissioners' property on Ailsa Craig is valued for rating at £100 a year; whether any rates or taxes have been paid in respect of it; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter, in view of the exemption of such property from rates and taxes by Section 731 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894.
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (Mr. SINCLAIR, Forfarshire)The valuation is made by the local assessor, and the Commissioners have no information as to why it is fixed at £100. The Northern Lighthouse Commissioners' property is exempted from rates, etc., and none have been paid in respect of their property on Ailsa Craig. Under
† See (4) Debates, clxxix., 145–6.1546 these circumstances I do not propose to take any steps.