§ Mr. JOHN TAYLORasked whether the value placed upon any plot of land by the Government valuers will be a matter for public information; and, if so, by what means a member of the public may obtain the information?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)The valuations made under Part I. of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, are not a matter for public information, but, as provided by Section 27 (5) of the Act, any person interested in any land can obtain particulars of the valuation of that land from the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.
§ Mr. PRETYMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention had been called to the instructions given by the Reference Committee that valuation cases should be heard by the referees in private; whether this would apply to cases where the appellant has no objection to publicity; and, if not, will he give instructions accordingly?
§ Mr. MASTERMANAs my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member the other day, he is aware of the instructions referred to, and under the condition mentioned in the second part of the question it is proposed to give discretion to referees to allow representatives of the Press to attend hearings.
§ Mr. PRETYMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Crown intends to appeal against the judgments given by the Court of Appeal in the actions Burghes v. the Attorney-General and Dyson v. the Attorney-General; and, if not, will he give instructions that the costs incurred by the plaintiffs in these two actions be now paid?
§ Mr. MASTERMANIt has been decided not to appeal against the judgments referred to, and instructions will be given for payment, of such costs as have reasonably been incurred by the plaintiffs in these cases.