HC Deb 11 May 1939 vol 347 cc668-9
25. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Leyton Borough Council and addressed to him, deprecating the attempt to curtail the social services of the Essex County Council, detailing the cause of the increase of the county rate, and proposing means by which the burden of high rates could be alleviated; whether he proposes to take any action to adopt the proposals of the Leyton Council to repeal the De-rating Acts, to rate site values and empty properties, to secure increased block grants and to make air-raid precautions entirely a national charge; and whether he is aware of the increasing expenditure in Essex due to the need of supplementing old age pensions?

Mr. Elliot

The resolution has been brought to my notice. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. Sorensen

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to do anything to relieve the undoubted burdens of the ratepayers of Essex by transferring some of those burdens to the national Government? Is he not aware that there is a mischievous attempt being made in Leyton through the activities of the Leyton and Essex Ratepayers' Association to cut down the social services, and in view of that will he take some steps towards relieving the burdens of the ratepayers?

Mr. Elliot

It is inadvisable for me to interfere between the ratepayers and that particular authority.