Drainage Rates

HC Deb 09 November 1959 vol 613 cc3-4

6. Mr. Bellenger

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to make for a more equitable distribution of the inland drainage rate than the present anomalous imposition of the rate as between one ratepayer and another occupying property almost adjacent to each other.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. J. B. Godber)

Recent discussions about land drainage with the organisations concerned have covered possible methods of helping to overcome rating anomalies occurring in some internal drainage districts, but my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any specific proposals.

Mr. Bellenger

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there is any prospect of getting an early decision, because in answering a somewhat similar Question earlier this year his right hon. Friend gave me the same sort of answer? Will he publish in HANSARD the list of organisations with which he is negotiating?

Mr. Godber

I shall be very glad to consider the right hon. Gentleman's last point and to ask my right hon. Friend whether he would be able to do what the right hon. Gentleman suggests. On the other issue, I quite understand that the right hon. Gentleman wishes to make progress. We, too, wish to make progress, and I hope, if he will be patient for a little longer, that we shall be able to do so.

Mr. Ridsdale

Is my hon. Friend aware that we on this side of the House are very anxious to see early legislation on this point, because this is an anomaly which has gone on for a long time and it is high time that it was corrected?

Mr. Godber

I recognise that fact, and we will do our best to see if we can find some means of overcoming this difficulty.

Commander Maitland

Can my hon. Friend give us some indication of what the Government are going to do about this matter before we get legislation on the lines of the Heneage Report?

Mr. Godber

I have already said in my original Answer that my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make specific proposals, but, just as soon as he is able to do so, he will make a statement to the House.

7. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that farmers are still assessed for internal drainage rates on a basis of 1936 valuation; and whether he will take steps to ensure that changes in use are reflected in changes in rateable value.

Mr. Godber

Drainage rates in internal drainage districts are assessed on the gross annual value of the property as determined for the purposes of Income Tax under Schedule A. There is provision for separate valuation of new and altered properties.

Mr. Jeger

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that some valuations are very much out of date, and that there are cases where land which was assessed as grassland is now fully productive and, consequently, much more valuable, and vice versa? Is he aware that many anomalies of that kind exist side by side? When will there be some settlement of the question?

Mr. Godber

Revision of Schedule A valuations is not, of course, a matter for me. I have indicated that it is possible to get separate valuations for alterations that are made.