§ 36. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Minister of Health whether he has received a communication from the town clerk of Hull, with a resolution of the City Council passed on 11th April, last, drawing attention again to the hardship caused by the operation of the Rating and Valuation Acts, 1925 to 1928, and regretting the unwillingness of the Minister to meet a representative deputation from the lord mayor and corporation; and whether he will reconsider his refusal to receive such deputation?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Sir Kingsley Wood)Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has received the communication to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. As he has already informed the City Council and the hon. and gallant Member, the large increase in the gross value attributed to small properties in Hull, which substantially exceeds the corresponding increase in the majority of other rating areas, is a matter within the discretion of the local Rating and Assessment Authorities; no action which my right hon. Friend could take could affect the essential facts of the situation, and, that being so, he cannot see that any useful purpose would be served by the attendance of a deputation.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the Corporation of Hull may be trusted to know whether anything will be gained by an interview with him and his experts? How is it that the Minister refuses a definite request to receive a deputation from the whole Corporation—this not being a party question at all—to discuss these highly technical matters?
§ Sir K. WOODThere has been considerable correspondence between my right hon. Friend and the Corporation, and it is the opinion of my right hon. Friend that nothing would be gained by receiving a deputation. If the Corporation have any suggestions to make, they could make them in writing, but really there would be no useful purpose gained in receiving a deputation.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIt is difficult to discuss these matters by correspondence. When the right hon. 617 Gentleman the Minister receives a special request for conference on such a matter, is it not his duty as Minister to accede to such a request?
§ Sir K. WOODAs the hon. and gallant Member knows, my right hon. Friend is always endeavouring to carry out his duties. If the Corporation have any suggestions to make in the matter, it is difficult to see why they cannot make them in writing. It is really a matter for them.
§ Mr. ERNEST BROWNCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the assessments complained of were made by the local assessment committee, or whether there has been an alteration made by the central valuer?
§ Sir K. WOODThe Central Valuation Committee, as the hon. Member knows, has no jurisdiction. The Central Valuation Committee is only a committee for giving advice. The Assessment Committee has entire responsibility.
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRI have a good deal of sympathy with the right hon. Gentleman. Is not the real difficulty this, that the indignation and dissatisfaction aroused by these Acts is so widespread that if the Minister undertook to receive all the deputations—
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYI beg to give notice that in view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I will raise this question on the Adjournment to-morrow night.