35. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Health whether, before putting in force the exemption of machinery from rating, he will have inquiries made in 20 or 30 typical areas in order to ascertain the exact effect such proposals will have on the rates of industrial districts?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Neville Chamberlain)For the reasons indicated in my reply to the hon. Member on 18th June last, I do not think that such inquiries as he suggests would serve any useful purpose.
Mr. THOMSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many local authorities anticipate a rise of 2s. or 3s. in the pound as the result of the legislation, and are not the Government prepared to do anything to help them in this matter?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINThat is precisely the supplementary question which the hon. Member asked me the last time, and I can only give him the same answer as I gave him then.