44. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Prime Minister how soon the Government propose to introduce legislation providing for a system of block grants for rating purposes so as to afford some measure of relief to necessitous areas?
§ Sir K. WOODI have been asked to reply, and I would refer the hon. Member to the observations of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health on this matter on the Second Reading of the Consolidated Fund Bill.
Mr. THOMSONCan the Parliamentary Secretary say on what date these proposals are likely to be introduced?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. My right hon. Friend dealt with that question when he replied, and I think the hon. Member had then left the House.
Mr. THOMSONIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the right hon. Gentleman did not give any date at all, and meantime is nothing to be done for these necessitous areas?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend explained that the matters to which he refers were not only necessitous areas, and he stated that he was not then in a position to give an indication as to the date.