HC Deb 21 June 1932 vol 267 cc893-4
2. Mr. GUY

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider introducing legislation for the reform of the rating system in Scotland?

4. Mr. TRAIN

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet considered the memorial on local rating and valuation presented to him by the National Federation of Property Owners and Factors of Scotland and the Property Owners' and Factors' Association, Glasgow, Limited, calling attention to the prejudicial effects of the Scottish rating system upon rents, new house building, and industry in general; and whether he proposes to investigate the existing systems of valuation and rating in Scotland with a view to reform?

The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOT-LAND (Sir Archibald Sinclair)

I have received the memorial referred to which is having my attention. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that the Scottish National Development Council has appointed a very representative committee to investigate this matter, which I notice is also being inquired into by a sub-committee of the Association of Local Lands Valuation Assessors of Scotland, and I propose to await the results of these inquiries.

Mr. GUY

Is my right hon. Friend aware that, under the existing system whereby there are two sets of rates—owners' and occupiers' rates—the tenant has to pay more in rents and rates than he would have to do if a single set of rates were adopted?

Sir A. SINCLAIR

This is a very complicated question which was inquired into in 1921 by a very authoritative committee under the chairmanship of Lord Dunedin, and they reported that as rents had long been fixed upon the assumption of the existence of such rates, it was not advisable to depart from this method of rating. I mention that because there is another side to the case which the hon. Member put in his question, and it is precisely those difficult issues which are to be inquired into by the committee which I have mentioned.

Mr. GUY

Is it not true in this particular case that the English system is better than the Scottish system?

Sir A. SINCLAIR

That is exactly what Lord Dunedin's Committee reported upon, that the Scottish system on the whole suited Scottish conditions best.

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