§ Mr. WATTasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he will explain why, in the borough of Paddington, one mile of railway line, not including buildings, in the occupation of one of the underground railway companies, is assessed at £3,000 and rated at £6,250, whereas in the same borough 1 mile 6¾ chains of tramway line is assessed at £1,000 and rated at £500?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)I understand that neither the borough council nor the assessment committee have any record as to the railway assessment referred to in the question. The facts as to the assessment of the tramway line appear to be as stated by my hon. Friend. As I mentioned in reply to a question put to me on 20th May, the assessment of the tramway line was fixed at the last quinquennial valuation, when the line was worked by means of horse traction. 1086 It has since been converted so as to be worked by mechanical power, and the clerk to the assessment committee informs me that it has been deemed advisable not to disturb the existing assesment until the revaluation which will take place next year.