§ 42. Captain W. BENNasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that on 4th March, 1914, the then Prime Minister stated that in the case of every future purchase of land effected or facilitated out of moneys provided by Parliament, whether wholly or in part, or whether by way of grant, loan, or otherwise, he would give instructions for a record to be kept showing the annual value as adopted for rating purposes at the time of purchase; whether he is aware that on 13th February, 1917, the present Lord Privy Seal stated that this record was being kept by the 1441 Departments concerned; and if he will say when, why, and on whose instructions the Departments concerned ceased to keep this record?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Baldwin)The compilation of the record, referred to in the first part of the question, is part of the work performed by the Inland Revenue Valuation Office, and is still being proceeded with.
§ Captain BENNMay I ask the Minister of Health why he cannot give the information asked for, and compare the rateable value of the land purchased for housing with the price which is paid?
§ Dr. ADDISONPortions of the land bought for houses are only parcels of land which are not separately assessed, while the rates cover particular estates or farms of which the parcels purchased are only part. We could not dissect them.
§ Captain BENNWhen I asked the right hon. Gentleman the aggregate value of the land purchased, he told me he had no information available?
§ Dr. ADDISONThat is so. The aggregate is made up of separate portions which are separately assessed, and we cannot arrive at the aggregate.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that over and over again public Departments—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order."]
§ 68. Mr. BRIANTasked the Lord Privy Seal whether a complete Return can be made showing, for each district throughout the country, how much land has been bought for housing sites, for small holdings, for land settlement, and for farm colonies, respectively, and in each case what has been the price and what was the previous rateable value?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAll the information available has been given to the House recently by the Ministers concerned in reply to questions, and in view of the labour and expense which would be involved in the preparation of it, I do not feel that the Government would be justified in granting a complete Return.