§ 57. Mr. BARRANDasked the Minister of Health the amount in the pound of the rates and the indebtedness per head of the population in Leeds and Bradford and in each of the districts comprised in the extension schemes of those cities?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am having this information collected, and will send it to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.
§ Mr. BARRANDIs my right hon. Friend aware that these extension schemes will simply have the effect of enabling Leeds and Bradford to transfer a large portion of their debts to the surrounding districts, and will he not in these circumstances withhold his sanction to such an unfair arrangement?
§ Dr. ADDISONAll matters of that kind will have to be taken account of.
§ Mr. LUNNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the conference he had with the local authorities last week regarding economy was absolutely futile and that these authorities are determined to fight for their existence, whatever the cost, and will he see his way clear to abandon these inquiries and so save this extravagance?
§ Dr. ADDISONI cannot forego exercising my statutory duties because somebody will persist in being extravagant.
§ 58. Mr. BARRANDasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the proposed extension schemes of Leeds and Bradford will necessitate extensive readjustments of local finance; and whether, in view of the abnormal local financial conditions now prevailing, due largely to conditions arising from the late War and resulting in very high rates, he will treat this state of affairs as a special reason for withholding his consent to an inquiry at the present time?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am aware that financial adjustments will be necessary if legislative effect is given to the proposed extension schemes of Leeds and Bradford Provision for such adjustments is contained in the Local Government Act, 1888, and the Local Government (Adjustments) Act, 1913. As regards the second part of the question, I am taking steps which I trust will lead to a substantial reduction of the expense in connection with any necessary local inquiries.
§ Mr. BARRANDDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider that the dangerously high level of local rates at the present time constitutes a special reason why nothing should be done by his Department that will have the effect of imposing a further and unnecessary burden on the ratepayers of these districts?
§ Dr. ADDISONI quite agree, but I must point out that the action is not with my Department. The action is on the initiative of these important municipalities, and in respect of those which it is proposed to absorb. I have no option in the matter; it is not my affair, but theirs.
§ Mr. BARRANDHas the right hon. Gentleman not the option, if he sees a special reason, and is not the effect on the rates a special reason in the existing circumstances of the country?
§ Dr. ADDISONI cannot possibly find that without stultifying the whole Act of Parliament.
§ Mr. BARRANDMay I ask—
§ Mr. SPEAKEROrder, order.