§ 1. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that farmers' machinery sydicates are liable to rates on the buildings housing the machinery; and whether he will introduce legislation to amend Section 2 (2) of the Rating and Valuation (Apportionment) Act, 1928, so as to extend agricultural de-rating to these syndicates, in view of the useful purpose they serve.
§ 14. Mr. Oramasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is aware that a building which houses agricultural machinery is derated if owned by a single farmer but liable for rates if owned co-operatively; and whether he will remove this handicap to the development of co-operation among farmers.
§ The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Mr. Henry Brooke)I am considering with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether any marginal changes ought to be made in the scope of agricultural Berating in these or other respects.
§ Mr. DigbyWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the increase in this desirable form of agricultural co-operation is being held up, and may I welcome the statement which he has just made?
§ Mr. OramWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the Rating and Valuation Bill is at the moment going through the House, and will he take advantage of that to alter the law if he concludes that that is what should be done?
§ Mr. BrookeI am much obliged to both hon. Members for their supplementary questions. What I have in mind is that this Bill is now referred to a Standing Committee, so we have time to think about it. There are difficult questions on the margin and I would like to see how best to get them right.