§ 12. Mr. C. Howellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many requests for the postponement of a hearing under the Local Government Act, 1948, have been refused by the Stafford North Local Valuation Court each year since 1948.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. Henry Brooke)I regret that this information is not available. But in amplification of previous Answers and correspondence I can assure the hon. Member that applications made in good time and with sufficient reason given are not refused.
§ Mr. HowellDoes not the Minister agree that, where the Act specifically lays down that an appellant can appeal to a lands tribunal only if he or his representative attends the court, there is a moral obligation on the court to permit the case to be postponed on a written application from the appellant sent several days previously? Alternatively; would not he agree that it is an injustice to a workman to deny him the right of postponement because he or his representative cannot attend, and that it is an injustice for the court to give a decision in those circumstances?
§ Mr. BrookeI cannot agree that proceedings of this kind are unfair and unjust. One must bear in mind that the members of the local valuation courts are themselves serving unpaid, and in the case which the hon. Gentleman has in mind a request for a postponement was received two days before the proposed date of the hearing, with no explanation given. In the circumstances the court, in the exercise of its discretion, decided that it would not grant deferment.
§ Mr. HowellOn a point of order. In view of the statement just made by the Minister, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at the first opportunity.