§ 25. Mr. FALLEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that Mr. F. Moore bought from the builder two houses in Copnor Road, Portsmouth, in 1907, for £390 each, and raised a, mortgage of £300 on each; that in 1909 the builder offered to buy back the houses at £370 apiece, the houses being built in a main road and the price of land increasing in value; and that since that date the local district land valuer has placed a value of £330 each on these houses; and if he can suggest any means by which Mr. Moore can obtain another valuation approximating more nearly to the value of the property and which will be accepted by the Government?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI understand that the total value of each house, to which the valuer proposes to adhere after considering the various representations received from the owner's agents, is £340. If Mr. Moore is of opinion that this does not represent the true value of the property at the 30th April, 1909, it is open to him to give notice of further objection and also for the purposes of Increment Value Duty to claim a substituted site value based on his original purchase. I have no knowledge of any offer to repurchase the houses at the figure named.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI do not think there is any way by which the Government can pay his expenses in the matter.
§ Mr. ROYDSIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a general complaint of systematic undervaluation of this class of property.
§ Mr. MASTERMANI have heard it stated by the hon. Gentleman, but when we have got a debate on the subject he has never been able to substantiate the statement.