§ 7. Mr. Holtasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he proposes to take to ease the financial burden imposed on some amateur cricket and other clubs by the recent rating revaluation.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe Rating and Valuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1955, protected many clubs from any increase in rates upon revaluation. The Committee on the rating of charities and kindred bodies is considering their future treatment for rating, and I must await its Report.
§ Mr. HoltMay I take it from that answer that the Committee will consider a change in regard to playing fields which are only covered by Section 8 (1, c) of the Rating and Valuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1955, provided that they do not charge for admission at the moment? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Heaton Cricket Club in my constituency is an amateur club whose ground has been considerably improved, largely due to the personal efforts and labours of the members, and whose assessments have been greatly increased? This is an entirely unsatisfactory state of affairs and not the way to encourage amateur clubs to continue in being.
§ Mr. BrookeI am afraid that without notice I cannot reply in regard to a particular case, but I know that the Committee to which I referred has received memoranda from a number of representative bodies, and I think that it would be as well to await its Report before deciding what further action is desirable.
§ Mr. BrookeI hope that it will be early next year.