§ 2 and 3. Mr. Houghtonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government (1) what general increase in gross rateable values of business premises may be expected in the valuation lusts for the municipal borough of Todmorden and the urban districts of Hebden Royd, Sowerby Bridge, Elland and Ripponden, respectively;
(2) whether he will authorise local valuation officers of the Inland Revenue Department to disclose to, and discuss with, local chambers of trade and other representative bodies the changes in valuation for rating of dwelling-houses, business and industrial premises likely to be reflected in the new valuation lists now in preparation, so that misunderstandings and groundless fears may be removed.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Housing and Local Government (Mr. W. F. Deedes)It would be wrong to disclose any forecasts of new assessments until the complete lists are published for inspection by the public.
§ Mr. HoughtonDoes not the Minister think that it is unsatisfactory that smouldering fears and discontents should continue for another 18 months? Does he not realise that revaluation may be endangered by the force of grievances which is gathering behind it; and may I appeal to him, since this work is completed and the assessments are lying there now to be inspected and discussed, to consider devising some means of anticipating the date—April, 1956—and so smooth the passage for this great change in the basis of valuation for rating?
§ Mr. DeedesI do not think that the fears to which the hon. Gentleman alludes would be allayed by publication of the figures he suggests, because information about certain classes of property in certain lists would often be misleading to individual ratepayers. So long as there are these internal discrepancies and inconsistencies, publication of the figures would not serve the purpose which he has in mind.
§ 4. Mr. Houghtonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he has considered representations from chambers of trade regarding the valuation for rating of business premises, and asking for amendment of the Valuation for Rating Act, 1953; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. DeedesI would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 6th December to my right hon. Friend the Member for Blackburn, West (Mr. Assheton) and to the hon. and gallant Member for Brixton (Lieut.-Colonel Lipton).
§ Mr. HoughtonAre steps being taken to circulate copies of that very comprehensive statement to local chambers of trade and others who have been sending letters to hon. Members of this House recently?
§ Mr. DeedesAs regards the first part of the supplementary question, I think that my right hon. Friend's statement has already received wide circulation. As to the second part, I think that all hon. Members who desire copies of it have been able to receive as many as they wish to have.