HC Deb 21 October 1912 vol 42 cc1711-2
81. Mr. BRIDGEMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any evidence that a relief of rates on agricultural land has resulted from the provision of the Road Improvement Fund by the Finance Act of 1909; and, if so, can he state the amount of such relief in the pound?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I have no information as to any reduction in rates for road maintenance in consequence of the Act. The effect is rather to check the rapid increase of rates that would otherwise be inevitable owing to modern methods of traction.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Did the right hon. Gentleman tell the House he had reckoned it up, and it would be a relief of 4d. in the £ to the agricultural ratepayer.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Certainly, I think it will be that at the very least. As the hon. Member knows very well the highway rate was going up very rapidly as the result of the increased wear and tear of the roads owing to modern methods of traction.

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

Is it not a fact that this Grant is not administered unless the ratepayers also spend a certain amount of money in addition to what they have been spending before?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Certainly, to the extent of the Grant it is a relief to the ratepayers. The ratepayers otherwise would spend the whole.

Earl WINTERTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these highway rates on the average have gone up something like 10 per cent, since 1909?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I think that is very likely, and they would probably have gone up another 20 per cent, but for this.