§ 21. Sir Frank Sandersonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Scott and Uthwatt Reports both urge a review of the existing rating and valuation machinery and, in view of this, as the publication of the Departmental Committee's Report on Valuation for Rates is an essential preliminary to the consideration of these matters, will he reconsider his decision in regard to their publication?
§ Mr. E. BrownI have again considered my hon. Friend's suggestion, but see no reason to depart from the answer which I gave him and to my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow (Mr. Norman Bower) on 10th November.
§ Sir F. SandersonIs my right hon. Friend aware of the keen desire that the Reports should be published, and will he consider doing so?
§ 22. Sir F. Sandersonasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that one of the main reasons which gave rise to the alleged hardship among certain classes of ratepayers examined by the Departmental Committee on Valuation for Rates was due to the fact that the demand for houses available for letting was far in excess of the supply; and what he proposes to do to relieve the position?
§ Mr. BrownI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made on 19th November last, during the Debate on the Address, from which he will see that I fully appreciate the hardship caused to large sections of the community by the shortage of houses due to the war and that I am anxious that the building of new houses should be resumed immediately circumstances permit.