§ 10. Mr. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the annual value of the derating concession allowed in Scotland to industry and agriculture, respectively, in each of the last eight years.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneAs the Answer is long and contains figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HamiltonCan the hon. Member indicate whether it will be possible to give figures for separate industries in this connection? Would not he consider it right and proper, in view of the current financial difficulties of local authorities—and would it not be a measure of justice—that industry should be asked to pay its full rates?
§ Mr. BrowneUpon the first point, I should not like to commit myself without notice. The second point is another question.
§ Mr. WillisIt is a very important point.
§ Following is the answer:
§ It is estimated that had there been no derating of either industrial and freight transport or agricultural subjects under the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929, those subjects would have paid additional rates of the approximate amounts shown below:
| Amount | |||
| Year | Industrial and Freight Transport Subjects | Agricultural Subjects | |
| £m. | £m. | ||
| 1949–50 | … | 2. 8 | 1. 1 |
| 1950–51 | … | 2. 9 | 1. 2 |
| 1951–52 | … | 3. 5 | 1. 4 |
| 1952–53 | … | 4. 2 | 1. 6 |
| 1953–54 | … | 4. 6 | 1. 7 |
| 1954–55 | … | 4. 6 | 1. 7 |
| 1955–56 | … | 5. 1 | 1. 9 |
| 1956–57 | … | 5. 9 | 2. 1 |