§ 42. Mr. MAINWARINGasked the Minister of Health whether he is in a position to state the amount, or the estimated amount, as the case may be, of relief obtained by the agricultural industry as a result of the De-rating Acts, and for each year since their inception?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)No particulars are available on which the desired estimate could be framed in respect of any period in which agricultural land and agricultural buildings were wholly de-rated. It was, however, estimated that in the year 1926–27 when agricultural land was partially de-rated, the relief afforded to the occupiers of agricultural land under the Agricultural Rates Acts, 1896 and 1923, amounted to £9,010,000.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs it not the fact that this benefit of £9,000,000 which farmers got by the De-rating Act has gone into the pockets of the landlords?
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs it not the case that there has been no increase in Schedule A assessments in respect of land since the Act was passed?