§ 70. Colonel Sir A. SPROTasked the Secretary for Scotland if he has now devised any form of relief for the rural parishes and small towns in Scotland where the substitution of the county for the parish as the rating unit for education has occasioned great hardship due to the enormous increase of rates?
72. Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary for Scotland what action has been, or will be, taken, and when, to deal with the intolerable situation as regards assessments upon rural parishes which has arisen in Scotland owing to the enforcement of the Education Act, 1918?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)I am in course of appointing a Committee, of which Lord Dunedin has kindly undertaken to be the chairman, to enquire into the system under which taxation is raised for local purposes in Scotland. The incidence of 1609 taxation as between rural and urban areas will doubtless receive the Committee's careful attention. I hope to be in a position to announce the names of the members and the terms of reference at an early date.
Sir J. D. REESCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether in the meantime these enormous rates, sometimes 700 or 800 per cent, above the past rates, will continue to be due or leviable?
Sir J. HOPECan the right hon. Gentleman say when he is asking this Committee to report, because the matter is urgent; and will he ask them to report within a month or two months?
§ Mr. MUNROI do not think, speaking primâ facie, that a Report on this topic which was presented within a month would be of very great value. The Committee that is being appointed is fully aware of the urgency of the question.
Sir J. HOPEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that already three months have elapsed since the Scottish Members pressed for the appointment of the Committee, and it has not yet been appointed?
§ Mr MUNROIt is not always easy to get suitable members to serve upon a Committee of this sort, which involves a great amount of time and labour. I have expedited the matter in every possible way. Pehaps the hon. Member will pardon me if I say that the suggestion as to the appointment of the Committee came from me and not from Scottish Members.
§ Major MACKENZIE WOODWhen does the right hon. Gentleman hope to be able to deal with this question by legislation after the Committee has reported?
§ Major M. WOODWill the right hon. Gentleman be able to deal with it this Session or next Session?
Sir J. HOPEHow does the right hon. Gentleman propose to give relief pending the Report of the Committee?
§ Mr. MUNROI am afraid there is no possible relief that can be given pending the Report of the Committee.