§ 77. Mr. MARCHasked the Minister of Health whether any representation has been made to him by any of the Metropolitan borough councils as to the excess of rates having to be made owing to the De-rating Act and the Local Government Act of 1929; and whether he will hold an inquiry into the matter with a view to the better equalisation of rates in London?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Miss Lawrence)The reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is, that my right hon. Friend has received representations bearing on increases of rates in London from seven of the 29 councils. There appears to be some misapprehension of the facts and, as to them, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given last Thursday to questions put by the hon. Member for Hammersmith (Mr. Chater). I am sending a copy of those replies to my hon. Friend. The working of the Local Government Act of 1929 in London will be closely watched but my right hon. Friend does not consider that any special inquiry is called for.