§ 58. Mr. OUTHWAITEasked the President of the Local Government Board the acreage of greater Birmingham, the acreage assessed for rates as agricultural land, and the total amount raised in rates from the total area, and from that part assessed as agricultural land?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Lewis)The total extent of the city of Birmingham is about 43,500 acres. I am informed by the Town Clerk that the city is now being surveyed for assessment purposes, and the evidence at present available suggests that there are just over 20,000 acres of agricultural land. The total amount of public rates collected during the year 1912–13 in respect of properties in the city was £1,618,000. It is not known how much of this was collected in respect of agricultural land, but the amount may be estimated at about £7,000.