§ 75. Mr. Parkerasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the increase in the rates of householders and shopkeepers now taking place in the county of Essex, following re-assessment under the Rating and Valuation Act of 1925, is causing hardship and discontent; and whether he will take steps to relieve the situation by amending the De-rating Act or by other means which will remove the feeling of injustice existing in all areas which have developed greatly since the De-rating Act came into force in 1929?
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Bernays)The matter referred to in the first part of the question had not previously been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend, but it is not one in which he has any jurisdiction. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the 1591 hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Greenock (Mr. R. Gibson) on 6th May, of which I am sending him a copy.