83. Lieut.-Colonel Sir MERVYN MANNINGHAW-BULLERasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware 1112 of the severity of the incidence of rates under the Land Drainage Act, 1930; and whether he will take steps to put the rating under this Act on a fairer basis?
Major DAVIESIt is assumed that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the fact that annual value for Income Tax (Schedule A) purposes has, under the Land Drainage Act, 1930, been fixed as the basis of assessment to drainage rates. My right hon. Friend is aware that the change to this basis from that of acreage, which was generally but not invariably adopted before the passing of the 1930 Act, has caused some difficulties, but he cannot hold out any hope of amending the Act in this direction.
§ Sir M. MANNINGHAM-BULLERTs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there are cases of people with only a few shillings a week who have been summoned to pay rates of 8s. or 9s. at 10 days' notice?
§ 84. Sir M. MANNINGHAM-BULLERasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that under the Land Drainage Act, 1930, the tenant is made responsible for the payment of the landlord's rate, and of the difficulties and hardships caused thereby; and if he will consider taking steps to alter this procedure?
Major DAVIESDrainage rates under the Land Drainage Act, 1930, may be of two kinds—owners' rates if raised for the purpose of defraying capital expenditure or charges in respect of contributions to a catchment board; or occupiers' rates if raised for any other purpose. All such drainage rates are, however, by Statute assessed upon occupiers, but the occupiers are entitled to recover from the owners any amounts paid by them on account of owners' drainage rates. My right hon. Friend is not aware of any difficulties or hardships arising from this procedure, but he will be happy to look into any specific cases which my hon. Friend may desire to bring to his notice.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman inform the Minister of Agriculture that there are dozens of cases similar to the one quoted in the question in the Don Valley and Doneaster area, and will he look into the possibility of amending the law so that the landlord is rated instead of the tenant?