§ 61. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Devon County Valuation Committee estimates that its expenditure under the Rating and Valuation Act for the coming year will he £2,500; whether any part of this sum will be met by Exchequer grants; and in what way 2007 the Rating and Valuation Act will effect economies to counterbalance this expenditure?
§ Sir K. WOODThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given to him on the 10th February.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTECan the hon. Gentleman make any suggestion of any way in which this is a form of economy, or are we merely going to add expenses on to the rates?
§ Sir K. WOODI am afraid I am unable to agree with my hon. and gallant Friend. He will see in the reply which was given to him a few days ago that in the judgment of my right hon. Friend, given a little time, the result of this Act will be to show substantial economies.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTECan the hon. Gentleman suggest any ways in which it will show economies?
§ Sir K. WOODI ask my hon. and gallant Friend to wait a few months, and see the results.
§ Sir HENRY CAUTLEYWill the hon. Gentleman say whether £2,500 is about the average charge to come on to a county?
§ Sir K. WOODI mast not be taken as assenting to these figures at all.
§ Mr. RYEIf it is clear that there are no economies, will the Minister and the hon. Gentleman see their way to repeal this Act?
§ Sir K. WOODI do not accept the major premises of my hon. Friend.