§ 28. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether, as the revaluation of properties carried out under the Rating and Valuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1955, is of an inflationary character, he will postpone the operation of these new valuations until the present inflationary situation has abated.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government (Mr. Duncan Sandys)I cannot accept either the hon. Member's premise or his suggestion.
§ Mr. LewisIs the Minister aware that shopkeepers and many householders are complaining at the excessive increase in their valuations, and that already they are suggesting that this is another reason why they should ask for wage increases? As this will inevitably push up the cost of living again, are we to take it that it is part of the Government's policy to continue what they have been doing during the last two or three years, namely, to increase the cost of living at the expense of the poorer people?
§ Mr. SandysI always hesitate to enter into economic discussions, but the only practical effect of revaluation is to alter the distribution of the rate burden as between different classes of property owners. To the extent that it reduces the share of one class, it increases the share of the others. The overall effect, therefore, is neither inflationary nor deflationary.
§ Mr. LewisIs not the Minister aware that industry—big industry and the wealthy industrialist who are represented on the benches opposite—is still getting away with it? If the argument is right in respect of small shopkeepers and householders, why does not the right hon. Gentleman do the same in the case of the big businessmen and support a Bill promoted by an hon. Friend of mine which will come before the House on Friday?
§ Mr. SandysI should not like to anticipate the attitude which this side of the House may adopt towards the Bill coming up on Friday.
§ 31. Mr. Lewisasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what reply he has given to the request of the National Chamber of Trade that he should receive a deputation from them in regard to the new revaluation of shops and houses.
§ Mr. SandysI have agreed to receive a deputation at the appropriate time.
§ Mr. LewisIs the appropriate time likely to be within the next few weeks? If, as I hope will be the case, this representative body really tells the right hon. Gentleman the facts of life on this question and can substantiate the claims which it is now making, will he give the House an assurance that he will agree to amend the present position?
§ Mr. SandysThe hon. Gentleman has asked a lot of things. I am always interested to hear about the facts of life; we all are. The appropriate time for the deputation will be when the position becomes a little clearer. What the effect of its arguments will be I cannot say until I have heard them.