§ 9. Mr. GUYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider the introduction of amending legislation so that factories or works which have been temporarily closed owing to the industrial depression may be entitled to the benefit of de-rating?
§ Sir G. COLLINSThe valuation of factories which are temporarily closed was the subject of a resolution submitted to me by the Convention of Royal Burghs, and will be considered, along with other questions of valuation, when the report of the Scottish National Development Council on this subject is available.
§ Mr. GUYWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him if he realises that in several cases the payment of the full rates has resulted in the dismantling of machinery in these factories; and does he agree that that would be avoided by an alteration of the law in regard to de-rating?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI agree with regard to the facts stated by my hon. Friend, and, as I have indicated in replying to his question, when the report on the valuation has been received, I shall go carefully into the whole matter.