§ 30. Mr. Manuelasked the Secretary of State for Scotland to what extent owners' rates paid in respect of rent-controlled property will be established at their present level and will not be increased or reduced in consequence of any fluctuation in any local authority rate poundage under the proposals contained in Command Paper No. 8997.
Commander GalbraithThe Housing (Repairs and Rents) (Scotland) Bill proposes that the owners' share of the county or burgh rate payable on rent-controlled houses will be limited, from the financial year following the commencement of the Act, to the poundage in force at the commencement of the Act. If the owners' rate levied in any year should be less than that levied at the commencement of the Act, the lesser amount will be payable.
§ Mr. ManuelDo I take it from the reply that after the passing of the Bill, if the rate poundage of any local authority in Scotland increases the owners of any rent-controlled property will not pay that increase, and that if it is reduced they will still be stabilised, or do they move to the lesser figure? In other words, do they get the best of both worlds?