HC Deb 24 April 1956 vol 551 c1599
16. Mr. H. Hynd

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the effect on Income Tax assessments of the new valuation of houses for local rating purposes.

Mr. H. Macmillan

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement about the valuation of property for Income Tax under Schedule A which was made by my right hon. Friend the Financial Secretary on 19th April during the debate on my Budget proposals.

Mr. Hynd

Is the Chancellor aware that householders will be gratified at the decision to retain the old valuations for Income Tax purposes; but could he take some steps to extend the same principle to bodies like the Metropolitan Water Board, which are now using the new valuation for collecting rates?

Mr. Macmillan

I think that is a different question from the Schedule A matter to which this Question refers.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this situation will cause considerable hardship in Scotland, where valuations are being frozen for five years, and that where there have been partial valuations they create a handicap for one citizen as compared with another?

Mr. Macmillan

One of the reasons given by my right hon. Friend as to why it was not possible to introduce a new Schedule A system was that it would produce the anomaly of different systems in England and in Scotland.