§ 30. Miss Vickersasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why an appeal against an increase of assessment from £27 to £38 gross was dismissed notwithstanding that the house in question, No. 66, King Street, Plymouth, was deemed unfit for human habitation.
§ Mr. H. BrookeLocal valuation courts are independent tribunals. I cannot inquire into their decisions. There is a right of appeal against them to the Lands Tribunal.
§ Miss VickersIs my right hon. Friend aware that there has been an appeal but that the decision that the rates should be paid at the higher rate was upheld? Does he not think this is extremely unfair, since this house has been compulsorily acquired as being unfit for human habitation?
§ Mr. BrookeThis Question refers to the valuation for rating, and it would be quite wrong for me to express any opinion on a decision of a rating valuation court which is set up by Statute so as to be quite independent of the Government. As I pointed out to my hon. Friend, there is a right of appeal from the local valuation court to the Lands Tribunal.
§ 31. Miss Vickersasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the fact that No. 66, King Street, Plymouth, was assessed for rates of £38 gross, upon what basis it was valued for compulsory acquisition at £75.
§ Mr. H. BrookeCompensation was assessed on the normal statutory basis for a house unfit for human habitation—that is, on the value of the site alone. The assessment of the property for rating purposes could have no bearing on this.
§ Miss VickersDoes my right hon. Friend realise that the owner of this house still has a mortgage outstanding of £211? Will he introduce legislation to ensure that the valuation of property for the purpose of local taxes is placed on the same basis as the valuation when property is compulsorily acquired by a rating authority?
§ Mr. BrookeI realise that this is a hard case, and I will consider all its implications. At the same time, my hon. Friend must realise that these apparent anomalies which have emerged have been brought about simply by application of the existing law and not by my intervention.
§ Miss VickersIn view of the very unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.