§ 21. Sir B. Jannerasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the fact that water rate is a part of the general rates taxation structure, why he requires a separate account to be submitted.
§ Sir K. JosephThere is no general requirement to submit a separate account. The general rate and the water rate are often included in the same demand note.
§ Sir B. JannerAs the water rate is now related to the general rate in all respects, in that an increase of rateable value increases the water rate by a similar proportion, does the Minister think it desirable to advise all the authorities concerned that they need not send two rate demands?
§ Sir K. JosephThe hon. Gentleman should realise that where the water authority and the local authority are identical, it is often convenient to send out the two demands separately but on the same note but, of course, not all ratepayers pay their water rate on the basis of rateable value, as many of them pay by way of meter.