HC Deb 09 May 1963 vol 677 cc662-4
41. Mr. F. M. Bennett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appeals against the new valuations for rating on private dwellings have so far been lodged.

44. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many appeals were lodged up to 30th April against the recent revaluation; how many have been heard; and how many have been allowed.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am afraid that as appeals against the new assessments could not be submitted until April information as to the number of such appeals is not yet available. It will shortly be ready, but will relate to all properties as figures are not collected separately for private dwellings. When I have these figures I will send them to my hon. Friends.

Mr. Bennett

Will my right hon. Friend accept that, if the example of Torbay is a guide—the appeals already filed there number many thousands—there will be many hundreds of thousands throughout the country? As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government has stated that the Government are not prepared to consider a standstill in rates until a modification of the system has been introduced following the report of the Committee appointed for the purpose, will my right hon. Friend at least publicise the fact that an appellant can legally withhold up to one-half of the increased demand pending the result of his appeal?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The figures for the first month will shortly be available and it would be better not to speculate on them. If anyone is to give a ruling of such complicated matters of law, it is not I.

Dame Irene Ward

Will my right hon. Friend see that the domestic rates appeals are published separately? Will he also kindly explain to an uninitiated person like myself why it is that when good additions are made to property the rates are put up, in view of the fact that the Conservative Party believes in a property-owning democracy? The two do not seem to go together, do they?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The position is that the figures are being collected for all properties together. I will consider my hon. Friend's suggestion to see whether, without undue difficulty and expense, they can be separated, although that would, of course, involve further delay.

As the essence of the assessment of rates is what a tenant would be prepared to pay, if the premises were, in fact, improved it seems likely to make a tenant likely to be willing to pay more.

Mr. Bellenger

When the right hon. Gentleman is looking into this matter, whatever he may say about local rates, will he also examine the question of the water rate, especially in the Metropolitan area? That seems out of all proportion when compared with local rates which meet many obligations the Metropolitan Water Board has not got.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

That does not arise on this Question, and I am extremely doubtful whether, in any event, it is one for me.