§ 18. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government by how much local authorities will have to increase the rate poundage to balance the loss of income due to the 20 per cent. reduction in shop assessments.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThere are too many uncertainties and possible local variations to enable me to make an estimate in this form, but the reduction in rateable value proposed by the Bill amounts to about 7 per cent. of the total rateable value in the current lists.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in Lambeth the rate will have to go up by 1s. on the basis of current requirements, and that that figure is likely to be operative in many other parts of the country? Would it not be better to ease the burden on the ratepayer by making industrialists pay the full rate and not just 25 per cent.?
§ Mr. BrookeThe effects of this Bill will be debatable when it comes up for Second Reading in this House.