HC Deb 22 February 1929 vol 225 cc1506-7

Amendment made:

In page 48, line 10, leave out the word "quinquennium," and insert instead thereof the words, "and second fixed grant periods."

Consequential Amendments made.

Further Amendment made:

In line 26, at the end, insert the words, "'county' includes any small burgh situate within the county."

In line 34, leave out from beginning to the end of line 40.

In page 49, leave out lines 13 to 18.

In line 41, at the end, insert the words: and includes a rate levied within a landward area by the rating authority in accordance with the provisions of a local Act for the purpose of meeting a requisition by the Commissioners or other body established under that Act. In page 50, line 1, after the word "'Council," insert the words "town council."—[The Lord Advocate.]

The LORD ADVOCATE

I beg to reeve, in page 50, line 11, to leave out the words "means men," and to insert instead thereof the words "and 'unemployed insured women' means respectively men and women."

This Amendment is anticipatory of an Amendment to Schedule 5, providing for an alteration in the unemployment factor to include 10 per cent, of the unemployed insured women. That Amendment will be discussed when we reach it.

Amendment agreed to.

Question proposed, "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

Mr. JOHNSTON

Before we pass from this Clause, we should like to have from the Lord Advocate a statement regarding the fourth paragraph on page 49, dealing with the water rate. Are we to understand that, henceforth, the domestic water rate is to be borne entirely by tenants and shopkeepers without any assistance from the block grant? Public works and persons who are de-rated are to continue enjoying the domestic water supply, but will pay no rates upon it.

The LORD ADVOCATE indicated dissent.

Mr. JOHNSTON

I know that that is the opinion of municipal treasurers.

The LORD ADVOCATE

It is provided by a Government Amendment, not yet moved, that the word "rate" is defined as including "water rate," and "water rate" is defined as excluding "domestic water rate." Therefore, whenever the hon. Member finds the word "rate" in the Act, it excludes a rate levied as a domestic water rate.

CLAUSES 56 (Power to adjust grants in respect of alteration of areas before 16th May, 1930), and 57 (Commencement and grants in respect of period beginning 1st October, 1929) ordered to stand part of the Bill.