§ 34. Mr. Geoffrey Hutchinsonasked the Minister of Local Government and Planning whether, in view of the growing burden of local government expenditure, much of which is attributable to causes beyond the control of the local authorities themselves, he will now take steps to initiate a comprehensive inquiry into local government expenditure and local taxation.
§ The Minister of Local Government and Planning (Mr. Dalton)Under the Local Government Act of 19,48 an investigation is due in 1953.
§ Mr. HutchinsonDoes not the right hon. Gentleman agree that a more comprehensive investigation than that under the Act to which he has referred should be undertaken in order to allay public anxiety about the rising cost of local government expenditure?
§ Mr. DaltonI think we had better wait until we have the new valuation. That will enable us to judge much better than we can now.