§ 35. Captain CAZALETasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the inconsistencies prevalent to-day throughout the country in regard to the 967 rating of voluntary hospitals; that in Devon the rating assessment committees have resolved that voluntary hospitals in that county shall be rated at 7s. 6d. per bed, including nurses' beds, while in Wiltshire the rating and assessment committees have adopted the basis of £5 per head additional to nurses' beds; and whether he can give to the House the assurance that such inequalities will be removed under the new Valuation and Eating Act?
§ Sir K. WOODThe Central Valuation Committee has reported the existence of considerable diversity of practice in the assessment of voluntary hospitals. My right hon. Friend has circulated the Committee's recommendations on this matter to the local authorities concerned, but he is not empowered to interfere with their discretion in the assessment of any class of hereditament. I may add that the matter is not germane to the Government's proposals for giving relief from rating burdens to agriculture and industry.
§ Sir COOPER RAWSONIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the effect of the operation of the 1925 Rating and Valuation Act on some hospitals? For instance, in the case of the Middlesex and Westminster Hospitals, the rate is £4 per bed, whereas the new rate in Brighton for the new Sussex Hospital is £23. The rates have been increased 20 or 30 times in amount?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member seems to be answering a question.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the advisability of de-rating hospital beds?
§ Sir K. WOODThat matter was discussed.