HC Deb 23 November 1954 vol 533 c1022
2. Mr. Houghton

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the valuation office of the Inland Revenue Department has now completed the revaluation of dwellinghouses under the provisions of Section 2 of the Valuation for Rating Act, 1953; or what proportion of the work remains to be done.

Mr. R. A. Butler

A small proportion remains to be done.

Mr. Houghton

Is it not a matter of concern to the right hon. Gentleman that so much of this work has been done and yet the new valuation lists are not due to appear until 1st April, 1956? What becomes of all this talk of economies in the staff of the Civil Service if the valuation office is standing still, waiting for the day on which the new valuation lists are to appear?

Mr. Butler

Again, it is not quite so simple as the hon. Member puts it. As my right hon. Friend the present Minister of Defence said on 11th March, these was no time for the legislation in that particular Session. As regards the administration, although a small proportion remains to be done, there are still some very difficult aspects to finish. As we want this job done thoroughly, I am not in quite the state of alarm which the hon. Member imagines.