HC Deb 14 April 1910 vol 16 cc1421-2
Sir JOHN DEWAR

asked the Lord Advocate whether ho is aware that the total rates for local purposes in South Uist for the current year amount to £1 3s. 4.136d. per pound of assessable rental; whether he is aware that this high rate is mainly due to new schools being erected on new crofting townships, which were formed at the instance of the Congested Districts Board; and whether the increase in the rate so produced is part of the cost of creating these new settlements and in terms of the declared policy of the Government ought to be borne by the Congested Districts Board?

The LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. Ure)

I am aware that the sum of the owners and the occupiers' rates is of the nominal amount stated per pound of assessable rental; but, as I informed my hon. Friend on 2nd March, assessable rental is not in all respects a correct index of the real burden. The service of the debt incurred for new schools is a material part of the rate, and the need for the schools has doubtless arisen largely from the creation of the crofting townships referred to. I do not know on what authority my hon. Friend suggests that the increase in the rate ought to be borne, in terms of the declared policy of the Government, by the Congested Districts Board. Provision is made in the Education Acts for grants to necessitous school districts corresponding to the amount of rates levied in the preceding year. As my hon. Friend knows, the case referred to in my former answers between the school board and the parish council is still pending in the Court of Session.

Sir JOHN DEWAR

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in the course of the Small Landholders Bill passing through this House it was repeatedly stated by the Secretary for Scotland and the Prime Minister that no part of the cost of making small holdings should fall on the landlord at all?

Sir MARK STEWART

Are there not sufficient funds allowed to the Congested Districts Board to deal with all these special cases where the rates sometimes amount to 28s. in the £1?

Mr. URE

No; the funds at the disposal of the Congested Districts Board will be quite insufficient.

Sir JOHN DEWAR

Do the Government think this is likely to encourage landlords in making small holdings?