§ Mr. NEWMANasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the summary of a report to be shortly submitted by the Finance Committee of the Metropolitan Water Board on the financial position of the undertaking; whether he is aware that it is stated in such summary that the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, caused the Board a loss of £17,000 per annum alone on the rateable value of licensed premises, and that the recent quinquennial revaluation of the Metropolis disclosed a 210 rate of increase for 1911 of only 3 per cent., as compared with 18.89 per cent, in 1881 and 7.45 per cent, in 1891, representing a further heavy loss of revenue; and, seeing that the total deficiencies of the undertaking are placed at £200,000, as on 31st March, 1912, whether the Local Government Board contemplate any amending legislation with a view to prevent any extra burden being thrown on the ratepayer in the Metropolitan area?
§ Mr. BURNSMy attention has been called to this matter, and I understand that the Metropolitan Water Board are considering the promotion of legislation.
§ Mr. NEWMANWill the ratepayers of the Metropolitan District be exempt from any further taxation?
§ Mr. BURNSThe views of the Water Board are to be submitted to the Local Government Board, I think, on Thursday morning, by a deputation.