§ 26. Mr. RILEYasked the Minister of Health the total amount of local rates raised by local authorities in England and Wales in the latest financial year for which the Return is available; and the amount paid by local authorities in interest upon loans for the same period?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am about to issue a Report showing the rates levied in urban areas in England and Wales. This Report contains a table giving the total receipts by local authorities from rates for the years ending 31st March, 1914–26. I will send the hon. Member a 2188 copy of the Report in a few days. As regards the last part of the question, the latest complete information relates to the year ended 31st March, 1924. In that year the interest on loans for capital purposes amounted to £36,856,000. The rates collected in that year amounted to £143,275,459.
§ Mr. CECIL WILSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the city treasurer of Preston does publish annually a very valuable booklet giving the whole of this information, and, if necessary, will the Department duplicate it?
§ Mr. HURDCan we have similar information with regard to rural rates? This question relates to local rates generally.