23. Mr. TREVELYAN THOMSONasked the Minister of Health the amount raised in rates by all local authorities in the country in 1914 and in 1926, respectively, and in each case the amount per head of the population?
§ The MINISTER of HEALTH (Mr. Chamberlain)The amount of rates raised by all local authorities in England and Wales was £71,276,000 (or £l 18s. 11d. per head of estimated population) in the year ending 31st March, 1914, and, approximately, £147,500,000 (or £3 16s. 5d. per head of estimated population) in the year ending 31st March, 1926.
§ 42. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will 2176 state, for each of the years 1913–14 and 1925–26, the total amount of revenue raised by local taxation in England and Wales and the total amount paid as grants-in-aid by the Treasury in relief of local taxation; and, if the sum is to be treated as distinct from grants-in-aid, what amount was spent upon highways from the proceeds of motor taxation?
§ Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have been asked to reply. As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
| England and Wales. | |||
| Year. | Rates raised by local authorities. | Government grants received by local authorities. | Amounts included in previous column in respect of highways and bridges. |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| 1918–14 | 71,276,158 | 22,617,246 | 576,268 |
| 1924–25 | 141,977,060 | 81,736,749 | 12,976,889 |
§ The sum of £576,268 entered in the last column was derived from the Road Improvement Fund, which in the year 1913–14 obtained its income partly from the motor spirit duties, partly from carriage licence duties, and partly from interest on investments and loans. The sum of £12,976,889 entered in that column was derived mainly from the Road Fund, which in the year 1924–25 obtained its income from motor vehicle, etc., duties and interest on investments and loans. Complete returns for the year 1925–26 are not: yet available, but it is estimated that the total amount of the rates collected in that year was approximately –147.500,000.