§ 37. Mr. T. SMITH (for Mr. THORNE)asked the Minister of Health if he has considered the report from the Ilford Chamber of Commerce complaining about the assessment in the borough, more especially in regard to shops; if he is aware that some of the assessments have increased from 70 up to 100 per cent.; and whether any instructions have been sent by his Department to the assessment committees of the local authorities about unfair methods of assessment?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREMy right hon. Friend does not appear to have received the report to which the hon. Member refers, but the determination of assessments for rating purposes is entirely a matter for the local assessment committee, subject to the right of appeal to the courts. It is open to any ratepayer who is aggrieved by his assessment to make a proposal at any time for the amendment of the valuation list, but my right hon. Friend is not empowered to interfere in any way with the discretion of the assessment committee and he has not issued any instructions about methods of assessment.