§ 59. Mr. Thorneasked the Minister of Health whether he receives yearly or half-yearly a report from the various rating
§ Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. GallacherMay we take it that the Minister is giving special attention to combating this widespread and dangerous disease?
§ Sir K. WoodI am doing all I can.
§ Following is the statement:
§ authorities in connection with their rates; whether he is aware of the increase of rates by the majority of these authorities for the half-year ending September, 1938, and of the heavy burden put upon them by the Derating Act, 1929; and what action he intends taking about the matter?
§ Sir K. WoodIt is the practice of my Department to obtain from rating authorities in England and Wales copies of the rate demand notes issued by those authorities for each period for which rates are levied. Many rating authorities have not yet made their rates for the half-year ending September, 1938, and some time must necessarily elapse before information becomes available as to the proportion of rating areas in which the rates for that half-year show an increase over the corresponding half-year in 1937–38 The hon. Member will be aware that the derating provisions of the Local Government Act, 1929, were accompanied by new financial arrangements between the Exchequer and local authorities.
§ Mr. ThorneIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are three causes for the big jump in rates in all parts of the country, which are too long for me to explain now?
§ Sir K. WoodPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will have a little private conversation with me.