HC Deb 11 June 1941 vol 372 cc181-3
36. Sir Adam Maitland

asked the. Minister of Health whether he will accept the principle that when any town has suffered severe injury by "enemy action involving the destruction of or serious injury to buildings the consequent loss of rate revenue shall be borne nationally and not locally?

35. Mr. Kirby

asked the Minister of Health whether the Government have given consideration to the need for giving financial assistance to local authorities whose rate income has decreased rapidly owing to damage by enemy air attacks; and whether he proposes to issue a White Paper on this subject in order to clarify the position?

Miss Horsbrugh

The policy of the Government in giving financial assistance to local authorities whose resources are severely strained through loss of rate revenue caused by enemy action was explained in the answer given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Tam-worth (Sir J. Mellor) on 13th May, and I have nothing to add to that reply.

Sir A. Maitland

Is the hon. Lady aware that local authorities throughout the country are not at all satisfied with the position, and as the principle involved is an equitable principle, will the matter be reconsidered?

Miss Horsbrugh

I think my hon. Friend will agree that there is not so much disagreement as to the principle, which is that if local authorities cannot maintain their essential services without increasing rates to an unreasonable figure, then assistance is given. There may have been difficulties in particular cases in regard to carrying out that principle, and my right hon. Friend will look into any cases of that kind.

Sir A. Maitland

Is the hon. Lady aware that in fact the method at present being followed is one under which the local authorities have to plead poverty in making out their case instead of having their claim considered as a matter of right?

Miss Horsbrugh

The hon. Gentleman says the local authority has to make out its case and plead poverty. Of course, they get assistance from the State because they are poor, and they will naturally have to put up figures. If those figures show that they cannot carry on without increasing the rates, assistance will be given.

Viscountess Astor

Should not assistance to relieve the effects of a national calamity be treated as a national burden, and surely those towns which have been almost completely wiped out should be helped?

Miss Horsbrugh

I think the noble Lady will agree that they are being helped, not only in the case of bombing, but also in the case of fire and evacuation. I think the Noble Lady will agree that the principle is right that those authorities should be helped, and my right hon. Friend has given that undertaking. Already a great many authorities are being helped.

Dr. Russell Thomas

Are not such local authorities poor because they are in the front line of the Battle of Britain?

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