HC Deb 15 February 1949 vol 461 cc930-1
23. Lieut.-Commander Hutchison

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that considerable hardship is being caused to a large number of owner-occupiers of houses in the Comely Bank and Learmonth districts of Edinburgh due to the recent considerable increase in the valuation of their houses made by the city assessor; and whether, having regard to the importance of encouraging people to become owner-occupiers, he will introduce legislation to ensure that purchasers of new houses are not suddenly confronted a few years later with large increases in the valuation of their property.

Mr. Woodburn

I am aware that the valuation of a number of owner-occupied houses in Edinburgh has recently been increased by the city assessor and confirmed by the Lands Valuation Appeal Court on appeal. The law provides that the valuation of such houses is to be the rent at which one year with another they might be reasonably expected to let and I see no reason for its amendment.

Lieut.-Commander Hutchison

In view of the desirability of encouraging the ownership of houses, would the Secretary of State consider amending the Lands Valuation Act of 1854 to ensure that

The following table gives particulars of the catches landed by Scottish and English boats operating in East Anglia in 1938 and 1948:
— 1938 1948
Scottish Boats English Boats Total Scottish Boats English Boats Total
Aggregate Quantity (cwts.) … 891,798 941,653 1,833,451 952,064 713,992 1,666,056
Aggregate Value (£) … 239,337 309,346 548,683 946,157 710,508 1,656,665
Information as to the amounts accruing to crews and owners is not available.