§ 54. Mr. BRUFORDasked the Prime Minister if it is the intention of the Government to bring in a Bill to revise the present system of adjusting the burden of local and national taxation; and, if so, when such Bill will be presented?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIf by an adjustment of the burden of local and national taxation my hon. Friend means, as I suspect, a substantial increase in the present amount of Government subventions to local authorities, the answer must be in the negative. The Government have, however, had under consideration for some time proposals for improving the machinery of rating and valuation, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health hopes during the Recess to obtain the considered views of the various associations of local authorities and other interests concerned upon these proposals, which will be circulated to them in the form of a draft Bill.
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMWill the right hon. Gentleman, before these steps are taken, call for a Report from Lord Meston's Committee on percentage grants which bears very closely on this problem.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am quite sure that my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health will do so.
§ Mr. HURDMay not that Committee be asked to make an interim report, seeing how vitally the matter it is dealing with affects this problem?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI will communicate with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who is responsible for the details of this matter.
§ Mr. HURDYes, but the report is being held up. This investigation is one of the most important assets of the problem.
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am quite sure my right hon. Friend will communicate with Lord Meston with a view to expediting the Report.