§ 31. Mr. RILEYasked the Minister of Health the total amount contributed by the Treasury in relief of agricultural rates for the year 1926–27; and the estimated amount which the Treasury will so contribute when the Rating and Valuation (Apportionment) Bill becomes operative for the year 1929–30?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe amount of grants under the Agricultural Rates Acts, 1896 and 1923, distributed to spending authorities in England and Wales during the year 1926–27 was £4,684,210. When the rating relief scheme comes into operation in October, 1929, agricultural land and buildings will be freed from all rates for public local purposes. It is estimated that the amount contributed by 1744 the Exchequer in respect of this relief will, in England and Wales, be rather more than £4,000,000 a year.