HC Deb 16 October 1941 vol 374 cc1496-7
62. Rear-Admiral Beamish

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Uckfield Rural District Council has recently had to arrange for an overdraft of £11,000, with the consequent burden of charges on the ratepayers, by reason of the delay of Government Departments in paying for services, ranging from £9,000 in lieu of rates' on requisitioned properties, and £3,300 for evacuation schemes, to smaller sums for air-raid precautions and fire brigades; and whether he will arrange for a system of imprest, to avoid this state of affairs?

Sir K. Wood

As the reply is somewhat lengthy, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. De la Bère

As the Uckfield Rural District Council are known to me, and as I have a very high regard for them, I hope my right hon. Friend will do everything possible to expedite this matter for them.

Sir K. Wood

Yes, I will.

Rear-Admiral Beamish

Is there any information to show that other authorities are in a similar situation?

Sir K. Wood

I will inquire.

Following is the reply:

It is the practice to make advances on account of contributions in lieu of rates where it is found that, owing to the number of Government requisitions, the local authority would otherwise be financially embarrassed. The Uckfield Rural District Council asked for, and received, a payment on account in March of this year, and a similar arrangement would have been made in September had they informed the Treasury Valuer of their difficulties. As regards expenditure on evacuation, I would refer to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Health. In regard to grant-aided A.R.P. services, it has recently been arranged to increase the number of advance payments made in each year from four to six, and together these payments cover 97½ per cent. of the amount estimated to be due for the whole year, final payments being made after audit. A system of imprest is already in operation for expenditure of local authorities which falls to be reimbursed in full, whether on A.R.P., Fire Prevention or the National Fire Service.