HC Deb 13 April 1954 vol 526 cc957-8
40. Sir W. Smithers

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he has studied particulars which have been sent him concerning the persistent rise in county rates; and if he will in the national interest introduce legislation, which will enable Her Majesty's Government to fix a limit to the expenditure of local authorities.

The Minister of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Harold Macmillan)

Yes, Sir, for the particulars in question are mostly drawn from the Ministry's own publications. The answer to the second part of the Question is in the negative.

Sir W. Smithers

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the average county rate has about doubled in the last 20 years? As the increase is a burden upon industry and does harm to our export trade, will he take action on the lines suggested in the Question?

Mr. Macmillan

This is a very difficult problem. The suggested legislation would be rather too crude an instrument for this very complex problem.