§ 17 and 18. Mr. MANVILLEasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation (1901), any steps are being taken to amend the law with regard to the rating of machinery, so as to avoid undue impositions upon the productive industries of the country; (2) whether he has knowledge of the Bill prepared by the Machinery Users' Association for the purpose of amending the law relating to the rating of machinery, which was approved by the Royal Commission on Local Taxation; and whether the Government are prepared to adopt this Bill and pass it into law at an early date?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Major Astor)I have been asked to answer these questions. I have seen the Bill referred to which would prevent certain classes of machinery from being taken into account in arriving at the rateable value of factories, etc. The effect of the Bill would, of course, be to impose additional burdens 19 on other classes of property. The Government are unable to promise legislation on this subject at present.