HC Deb 30 July 1913 vol 56 cc683-6

(1) On any adjustment under Section 32 or Section 62 of the Local Government Act, 1888, or under Section 68 of the Local Government Act, 1894—

  1. (a) Any adjustment of the Local Taxation Licences, the Estate Duty 684 Grant, and the residue under Section 1 of the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Act, 1890, shall be carried out in accordance with the rules contained in Part I. of the Schedule to this Act:
  2. (b) Provision shall be made for the payment to any authority of such stun as seems equitable in accordance with the rules contained in Part II. of the Schedule to this Act, in respect of any increase of burden which will properly be thrown on the ratepayers of the area of that authority in meeting the cost incurred by that authority in the execution of any of their powers and duties as a consequence of any alteration of boundaries or other change in relation to which the adjustment takes place.

(2) This Section shall applyto any adjust-merit made (otherwise than by agreement) under any of the said Sections 32 and 62 of the Local Government Act, 1888, and 68 of the Local Government Act, 1894, whether as originally enacted or as applied by any other Act, or by any Provisional Order, or by an Order made or confirmed by the Local Government Board under the Local Government Act, 1888, or the Local Government Act, 1894, and consequent on an alteration of boundaries or other change effected after the passing of this Act.

Mr. DAWES

I beg to move at the end of the Clause to add the words "Provided that this Section shall not apply to any adjustment necessitated by any alteration of the boundaries of the Administrative County of London."

This Bill is, I believe, the result of a Joint Committee of this House and of the other House, presided over by the Duke of Devonshire. It is quite obvious that no alteration in the boundaries of London could be effected without legislation, and if the President of the Local Government Board assures me that the adjustments shall not apply to any alteration in the County of London I will ask leave to withdraw the Amendment which I formally move.

The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)

London was not exempted from the consideration of the Joint Committee. But the difficulty my hon. Friend apprehends is not likely to arise, because if the boundaries of London were altered it would not be done by a Provisional Order Bill. Such an alteration, if undertaken, would necessarily be on a large scale, and a public Bill would have to be introduced. If my hon. Friend requires an assurance from the Local Government Board that a public Bill would be introduced I will give that assurance.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

Mr. J. SAMUEL

This is a very important Bill and Clause 1 is the operative Clause. It deals with adjustments between counties and boroughs, and modifies two Sections of the Act of 1888. I want to know whether it is an agreed Bill between counties and boroughs. If it is I shall not oppose it; if it is not I think it ought to stand over so that the boroughs may consider it.

Mr. BURNS

I can assure my hon. Friend that both the County Councils Association and the Municipal Corporations Association are willing that this Bill should pass, and up to this moment I have not heard a word of protest from either side.