§ 63. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Minister of Agriculture how many catchment areas have reported difficulty in starting work owing to the method laid down in the Land Drainage Act for levying and collecting the drainage rate; and whether any amendment in the Act is contemplated?
§ Dr. ADDISONCatchment boards are not concerned with levying and collecting drainage rates, as they obtain their revenue by precepts on the county and county borough councils and internal drainage boards within their areas.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that they cannot get their rates from the county councils, because the county councils cannot get at the rate books, and there is no authority to give the county councils the rate books?
§ Dr. ADDISONI was not aware that that was so.
§ 71. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that drainage authorities, who have, in accordance with the Land 23 Drainage Act, 1930, ceased to be able to draw drainage rates based on acreage and have to levy rates on annual value, are without money on account of the absence of data on which annual value can be computed in sufficient time to levy a rate, he will indicate what steps he proposes to take to enable necessary work to be carried on?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have no information to show that any drainage authority which has hitherto carried out its duties satisfactorily is now unable to do necessary work owing to lack of funds, but if the hon. and gallant Member is aware of any such case, and will send me particulars, I shall be glad to look into the matter.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEWill the right hon. Gentleman, in order to clear up a misapprehension, say up to what date these authorities are able to levy an acreage rate?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt is a case of going from one system to another, but, if the hon. and gallant Member will give me details of the case he has in mind, I will gladly deal with it.