§ 78 and 79. Mr. PIKEasked the Minister of Health (1) if he is aware that in the valuation list which became effective on 1st April, 1934, the assessments of many houses owned by the Sheffield Corporation were shown to be increased, and that, although accepted, the new assessments were so adjusted as to leave the amount payable weekly by corporation tenants unaltered; if he is aware that many members of the estates committee and Sheffield City Council are tenants of corporation houses; and what steps it is proposed to take to protect tenants of privately-owned property against the increased rent and rates which fall upon them;
(2) whether he is aware that council houses owned by the Sheffield Corporation are assessed inaccurately by comparison one with the other on a lower basis than is in operation in comparative areas and on a lower basis than privately-owned houses within the city boundaries; and whether he is satisfied that, following a recent decision of that authority, houses owned by the. Sheffield Corporation are now assessed at figures comparable, as required by law, to their true letting value?
Sip H. YOUNGThe assessments of certain houses owned by the corporation have been recently increased as a result of the quinquennial revaluation and the council propose to reduce the rents of some of the houses concurrently with the increase in the amounts payable for rates on reassessment. I have no jurisdiction in regard to the assessment of property to rates which is a matter for determination by the assessment committee subject to the right of any person aggrieved to appeal to the courts; the various Housing Acts and regulations contain certain conditions for subsidy purposes as regards rents, but the general management and control of municipal houses is vested in the local authority who may make such reasonable changes for individual tenancies as they may determine.
§ Mr. PIKEIn view of the circumstances in Sheffield by which members of the Sheffield Council have voted to themselves rent reductions and rate reductions while they have imposed additional charges upon tenants of slum property already condemned under slum clearance orders, will the right hon. Gentleman institute at his earliest possible convenience an inquiry into the whole position obtaining in that city?
Sir H. YOUNGThat really is the original question in another form. If the hon. Member will consider my answer, he will see that it bears upon the matter.
§ Mr. THORNEAnother dig at a Labour council.