§ Mr. JAMES HOPEasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is proposed that an annual contribution equivalent to the amount now raised by way of rate shall be paid by the Government to local authorities in respect of property taken over from the National Telephone Company?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. As I stated on 27th October, in reply to the hon. Member for North-East Lanark, the Government is prepared to authorise some contribution in lieu of rates on the National Telephone Company's undertaking after 31st December next, but the precise basis of the contribution has not yet been settled.