56. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTANDOYLEasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the increased assessments under the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, on provincial voluntary hospitals; and whether, in view of the public service rendered by these institutions and of their financial position, he will consider either de-rating them or giving them preferential terms of assessment?
§ Sir K. WOODAs my right hon. Friend has previously explained, the exemption of hospitals from rating could not be effected without legislation and he does not consider that such a proposal can be considered apart from the similar claims made on behalf of other charitable and public institutions. The same considerations apply to preferential terms of assessment. The Central Valuation Committee have made certain recommendations with respect to the assessment of hospitals and charitable institutions and where these have been adopted there should be no undue hardship.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of introducing legislation to cover all those points which he has mentioned?
§ Sir K. WOODI am sure we all desire to do what we can for the voluntary hospitals, but the hon. Gentleman will, no doubt, realise that, if one began to give preferential treatment in this way to voluntary hospitals, one would be immediately confronted with claims on behalf of blind institutions and other institutions. This raises a very big and important question which it is hardly possible to deal with by way of question and answer.
§ Mr. HARRISIs it not a fact that an Amendment was moved by me giving relief to voluntary hospitals and that it was voted down by the whole Conservative party?
§ Sir K. WOODYes, but in that Amendment the hon. Gentleman included licensed premises, which, perhaps, alters the circumstances.
§ Mr. TAYLORWhat is the total additional burden thrown on the voluntary hospitals by reason of the increased assessment?
§ Sir K. WOODI must have notice of that question. I doubt very much if I can get the information, but perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put the question down.
§ Mr. HARRISOn a point of Order. Is the right hon. Gentleman, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, justified in making a statement for which there is no warrant in fact but which is definitely contrary to the facts?
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it in order for the hon. Member to accuse a Minister of having made a statement which is false, the Minister knowing it to be false?
§ Mr. SPEAKERA great many of these points of order are rather unnecessary.
§ Mr. HARRISI ask your protection, Sir. Is the Minister entitled to take advantage of his position to mislead the House by making a misstatement concerning an Amendment moved by me, which only dealt with voluntary hospitals, and which was moved on behalf of the voluntary hospitals, as the right hon. Gentleman himself knows?
§ Sir K. WOODI have no wish to misrepresent the hon. Member. If he says that is the fact, then I accept it. But I also remember very well indeed that he moved an Amendment with reference to licensed premises.