§ 60. Mr. Hannahasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will consider amending the law so that buildings in Scotland may be derated without the necessity of removing their roofs, in view of the fact that large country houses might be needed for evacuation?
§ The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Colville)I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion, but I am not satisfied on the information before me that the amount of accommodation available for evacuated persons in an emergency is likely to be affected to any material extent in consequence of the system of rating in Scotland.
§ Mr. HannahIs not the present law extraordinarily wasteful by making it necessary to remove the roof if there is to be relief from rates?
§ Mr. ColvilleThe question was put from the point of view of evacuation, and from that point of view I could not justify legislation.