HC Deb 18 February 1941 vol 369 cc28-9
55. Mr. Brooke

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the officially encouraged policy of evacuation, expenditure on air-raid precautions and war damage to property the financial position of Metropolitan borough councils is acute; and can he yet indicate what assistance, by way of grant, he is prepared to offer, so as to prevent the unfairness of severe rate increases concentrated upon those people who have not left London?

Miss Horsbrugh

My Department is in communication with the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee and the councils of certain Metropolitan boroughs on the subject. As to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Tam-worth (Sir J. Mellor) on 12th February.

Mr. Brooke

Does that mean that the Metropolitan borough councils are to budget for a deficit, and cover that deficit by borrowing from the Exchequer?

Miss Horsbrugh

No, I think it means, as the hon. Member will see from the other reply to which I referred, that a consultation is taking place as to the best method of dealing with the position.

Captain Duncan

Is the hon. Lady aware that the time for deciding on the next rate is very close, and will this consultation very shortly be brought to an end?

Miss Horsbrugh

Yes, Sir, and consultation is now taking place with the Metropolitan borough councils.

56. Mr. Brooke

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, under the existing law rates will be payable by the Metropolitan borough councils to the London County Council and the Metropolitan police for the year commencing 1st April, 1941, in respect of premises already destroyed by enemy action, on which the borough councils cannot there fore collect any rates for that year; and as this is the season when rate estimates have to be made, will he initiate immediate action to remove this anomaly?

Miss Horsbrugh

My right hon. Friend is aware of the position to which my hon. Friend refers. He does not contemplate the introduction of amending legislation, but he is prepared to entertain applications for financial assistance from local authorities in cases where the loss of rateable value and rate revenue due to enemy action is such as to make this assistance necessary.