HC Deb 15 February 1911 vol 21 cc1054-5
Mr. WEDGWOOD (for Mr. Morrell)

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether the Development Commissioners are entitled to authorise the levying on local rates on land value in connection with any scheme for checking coast erosion or other similar schemes for preserving or increasing the value of land?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hobhouse)

Neither the Treasury nor the Development Commissioners have any power under the Development and Road Improvement Funds Act, 1909, to authorise the levying of local rates. The Treasury may, of course, on the recommendation of the Commissioners, make it a condition of an advance from the Development Fund that a certain sum should be raised locally by rates or otherwise, for the same purpose as that for which the advance is made, or to pay interest on and ultimately to repay an advance if made by way of loan.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Will the Treasury attach such conditions to any grant of public money in this connection?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

No. I do not think I could pledge the Treasury without a specific case to any particular course in connection with the advance.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the landlords do not get the whole advantage of the expenditure of this money?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member had better put down a further question.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Does the Development Act authorise the Treasury to make grants out of the Development Fund conditional upon additional charges being placed upon local rates?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I am afraid I do not carry all the sections in my recollection. If the hon. Gentleman will put down a question on the Paper I will answer it.