75. Mr. CHANCELLORasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount that would have been applied in relief of rates this year in the Metropolitan boroughs of Shoreditch, Hackney, Islington, and Stepney, respectively, if the Finance Bill had passed in its original form?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELI can only refer to the answer which I gave on the 6th May last to the hon. Member for the Eastern Division of Nottingham.
§ Mr. CASSELWhy cannot these separate Grants be equally well made under the new conditions?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThat does not arise out of this question.
§ 84. Sir JOHN SPEARasked whether, in view of the fact that the Departmental Committee on Local Taxation has recommended that Government contributions in lieu of rates be made in respect of Government property upon a valuation made and revised by the Land Valuation Office, at the same time as other property is valued by that office for rating purposes and on similar principles, it is intended that the adoption by the Government of this proposal is to imply that contributions will in future be made to the local rates in respect of the occupation of all Government property so valued?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI do not consider that the suggested change in the basis of valuation would afford ground for 546 any extension of the classes of property in respect of which contributions are now payable.
§ Sir J. SPEARDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that in future contributions will be paid for Government property at no regular rate?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEWe do not propose any alteration at all in that respect.
§ Sir J. SPEARIs it quite fair that private owners of property should be dealt with under the new valuation—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter for argument.