HC Deb 20 October 1953 vol 518 c1790
22. Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what consideration he has given to the issues of economic policy involved in derating; and what action he has now decided to take.

Mr. H. Macmillan

These issues are continually under consideration, but I cannot add to previous statements on the subject.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

As the Minister said nothing in previous statements on the subject, is he not aware that all the associations of local authorities and all responsible organisations of shopkeepers and traders are quite disgusted at his continued evasion of this issue?

Mr. Macmillan

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman would like to inform himself of the problems connected with it, I cannot do better than refer him to the speech of his right hon. Friend the Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Dalton) on the Second Reading of the Valuation for Rating Bill, when we had an interesting discussion on derating and when the party opposite ran away from the Amendment which they had put down.