§ 26. Mr. E. Fletcherasked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to announce the terms of reference to the proposed Committee on the Rating of Site Values and its constitution.
§ Mr. BevanYes, Sir. The Secretary of State for Scotland and I have appointed a Committee consisting of: Mr. Erskine Simes (Chairman), Sir William Darling, Mr. J. D. Trustram Eve, Mrs. Ursula K. Hicks, Mr. C. H. Lockhart, Mr. James McBoyle, Mr. T. A. O'Hare, Mr. R. R. Stokes, Mr. C. H. Walker, and Mr. T. Waterhouse.
The terms of reference are:
To consider and report on the practicability and desirability of meeting part of local expenditure by an additional rate on site values, having regard to the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Acts and other factors.
§ Mr. FletcherIs my right hon. Friend aware that the setting up of this Committee will be welcomed by all the progressive local authorities Who have been pressing for some progress in this matter for a long time.
§ Mr. BevanI am delighted that with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland I have had the opportunity of setting up this most interesting committee and I shall look forward both to the proceedings of the Committee and to the Report.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteWill the right hon. Gentleman state whether the two gentlemen referred to by him as Members of the Committee, Sir William Darling and Mr. Stokes, are identical with two hon. Members of this House, and, if so, should they not be referred to by their constituencies?
§ Mr. BevanI think that that is the perfectly proper thing to do. It should have been done, and I am sorry.
§ Mr. David JonesWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether the two appointments he has mentioned will be regarded as "jobs for the boys"?
§ Mr. Emrys HughesAs the ex-Lord Provost of Edinburgh has been appointed to this Committee, what representative of the other section of opinion in Scotland has been appointed to counter-balance that appointment?