§ 70 and 71. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether, in view of the opinion expressed at the recent conference of the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants that the Government do not pay their fair share of rates and that national economy ought not to be effected at the expense of local authorities, he will take action in this direction;
(2) whether, seeing that in the assessments of Post Office properties payments in respect of telephones are stabilised at the 1911 figure, and that since that time the Plymouth Corporation's service of telephones have increased by £2,000, but no additional contribution to the rates 1608 has been made by the Government, he will cause a new assessment to be instituted?
§ Mr. WILLIAM WHITELEYI have been asked to reply. The Government contributions in lieu of rates are arrived at by agreement with local authorities and are, I understand, generally accepted as fair. Representations have, however, been made to the Treasury by the Central Valuation Committee that on certain specific points, including inter alia the telephone question referred to by the hon. Member, the long standing arrangements based on Act of Parliament or agreement should now be revised. This matter is being considered, and the Treasury have promised to notify their conclusions to the Valuation Committee as soon as possible.