§ 15. Mr. SHINWELLasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether premises used by agricultural blacksmiths, where the tenant is the sole workman, will come within the scope of the Rating and Valuation (Apportionment) Act?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs the hon. Member will be aware, the matter is not one upon which I can give a binding decision as it falls to be decided by the assessor subject to appeal in each instance. In the circumstances, I feel that it would be inexpedient for me to express an opinion on the case mentioned in the question.
§ Mr. SHINWELLAre we to understand from that reply that the right hon. Gentleman cannot state specifically what consequences are likely to arise from the provisions of the Local Government Bill and the Rating and Valuation (Apportionment) Act? Are all these matters to be referred ultimately to the assessors and dealt with by the courts in Scotland?
§ Sir J. GILMOURNot necessarily by the courts. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, these subjects fall to be dealt with by the rating and valuation committee.
§ Mr. WEDGWOOD BENNWhen the right hon. Gentleman drafted the Bill, did he intend these people to be covered or not?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThis is a matter subject to the rating and valuation committee.