§ 81. Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Health what approximate reduction in rates to the general body of ratepayers in the areas covered by the West Riding County Council and the City of Wakefield, separately, will be effected by the passage into law of the Local Government Bill?
§ Sir K. WOODIt will not be possible to state precisely what benefit will be secured to the general body of ratepayers of any area by the provision of the Bill until the particulars on which the new grants will be based are available. The best estimate which can at present be made on the available particulars for the year 1926–27 shows that the general ratepayers of the City of Wakefield would have benefited by the equivalent of a rate of about 9d. or 10d. in the £ if the scheme had been in force in that year. As regards the West Riding County, a further White Paper will shortly be issued containing illustrative figures based on the estimated particulars for 1926–27 for a number of counties of which the West Riding will be one.
§ Mr. LUNNHow is it that in answer to a question regarding Cardiff and Wales, where there is a slight advantage, the right hon. Gentleman could give an answer the other day, but where there is a possibility of the result being other-wise, he cannot give an answer?
§ Sir K. WOODPerhaps I may remind the hon. Gentleman that. Wakefield is a county, whereas Cardiff is not.
§ Mr. LUNNWakefield is not a county. Wakefield is a borough like Cardiff. The West Riding is a county council area, and it is as important to get statements regarding those areas, as it is in regard to any borough in the country.
§ Sir K. WOODI have already told the hon. Member that the figures for the West Riding County will he published.
§ Sir K. WOODI think it will be in the course of this week. The hon. Member will then have full in-formation, and I have no doubt that the information, when it is received, will be satisfactory to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. E. BROWNDoes not the difficulty arise from the fact that it is impossible for the Minister or anybody else to tell the representatives of non county boroughs—who get a secondary and not a primary distribution of these moneys—what the results will be in their cases?
§ Sir K. WOODPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will convey that to his hon. Friend who put down this question.
§ Lieut. Commander KENWORTHYWhy is it that figures will not he given to the House and information is refused except when a by-election is in progress?
§ Mr. W. THORNEHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the report of the clerk of the West Riding of Yorkshire, in which he maintains, after an examination of the Bill, that after the first five years the West Riding is going to lose £250,000?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, Sir; but the information was a little out of date, and perhaps the hon. Member's is also.