§ 54. Mr. LIDDALLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the injustice being done to ratepayers in built-up areas owing to the basis of assessment being 33 1/3 per cent. of the annual value, he will consider introducing an amending Bill to the Land Drainage Act, 1930, early in the coming year?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. S. Morrison)I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to his previous question of 18th May last on this subject. I regret I could not undertake to introduce any further land drainage legislation at the present time.
§ Mr. LIDDALLIs my right hon. Friend aware that there are many real cases of hardship in built-up areas, that the sufferers are looking to the present Government to relieve them, and that the only way of doing it is by bringing in an amending Bill?
§ Mr. MORRISONThere are provisions in existing legislation under which measures could be taken by the appropriate authorities to mitigate distress from this cause, and, until that is done, it is very difficult to promise my hon. Friend or the House legislation on the subject.
§ Mr. de ROTHSCHILDIs the Minister aware that very few re-assessments have been taken, and will he see that it is done more frequently in future?