§ Mr. LANE-FOXasked the President of the Local Government Board whether a small holding or allotment not exceeding two acres in area, bon â fide used as a poultry run, is exempt under the Public Health Act and The Allotments Rating Exemption Act, 1891; and what instructions, if any, are issued to local authorities by the Board in this matter?
§ Mr. BURNSAn allotment within the meaning of the Allotments Rating Exemption Act, 1891, must be cultivated as a garden, or a farm, or partly as a garden and partly as a farm, but whether the definition would include a poultry run is a question which I have no jurisdiction to determine. The Local Government Board issued a circular in 1891 to rating authorities drawing attention to the Act, but they are not empowered to issue any instructions in the matter.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs it not clear, from reference to the Public Health Act, 1875, which is the principal Act, that a poultry run is included among the kinds of land enjoying partial exemption from rates?
§ Mr. LANE-FOXWhat action would the right hon. Gentleman advise the owners of such holdings to take when a demand is made for rates?
§ Mr. BURNSThe owner of a poultry run has an appeal to the justices and in certain circumstances to the quarter sessions, and probably they may be advised to make that appeal.