HC Deb 09 May 1963 vol 677 cc642-4
3. Mr. F. M. Bennett

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he will now give the terms of reference and the composition of the committee which he and the Secretary of State for Scotland are setting up to examine the impact of rates on different sections of the community; and when he expects the committee to report.

The Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs (Sir Keith Joseph)

My right hon. Friend and I are glad to be able to say that Professor R. G. D. Allen, Professor of Statistics at the London School of Economics, has agreed to be chairman of the Committee. We hope to announce the complete membership shortly.

The terms of reference will be: To assess Idle impact of rates on households in different income groups and in different parts of Great Britain, with special regard to any circumstances likely to give rise to hardship. We shall ask the Committee to report as soon as possible, but despite the information already available a wide-ranging survey will be needed and it is too soon to estimate when a report can be made.

Mr. Bennett

While welcoming that announcement, may I ask my right hon. Friend whether, in the conduct of its affairs, the Committee will be available to receive direct evidence and testimony from affected individuals and groups? If so, will this be done by the Committee touring, by written communications, or by personal appearance?

Does my right hon, Friend realise that, although we welcome this announcement, the impact before the Committee reports and before remedial action can be taken is extremely severe and that there are many thousands of people in my constituency alone, and in other similar constituencies, who are being asked to pay up to three times their previous rates, but simply are not in a position to do so?

If nothing is done, people who have been living in the same house in retirement for a long time will have to be evicted in the next few months.

Sir K. Joseph:

I very much hope that my hon. Friend's fears will not be realised. We shall ask the Committee to report as soon as possible. As to evidence, I think that the right thing to do is to get the chairman, as soon as the Committee is complete, to decide on its plan of action and then make known to the public the answers to my hon. Friend's questions.

Mr. MacColl

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very welcome but too long delayed beginning of the consideration of this problem? How ever, it is only a beginning. Would the right hon. Gentleman agree that, after these investigations have taken place, there will have to be much constructive thinking? In the meantime, would be introduce some proposals for a transitional reduction of the burden falling on individual ratepayers, who are feeling this very severely?

The Committee should be able to deliberate in an atmosphere of calm and scientific detachment but that is not exactly the feeling that ratepayers have at the moment, when they are facing frightful increases. A transitional reduction is an important point.

Sir K. Joseph

The Government are constantly studying the balance between local revenue and taxpayers' revenue in paying for local services. That study will continue.

Mr. Bennett

Will my right hon. Friend say quite plainly whether, if he becomes convinced that there are cases of genuine hardship, he will be prepared to consider some form of standstill arrangement so as to prevent the hardship which he knows perfectly well is being caused to many people?

Sir K. Joseph

No, Sir. I have made it plain several times before that the Government cannot, have no power to, and do not intend to, make any standstill arrangement, but will await the receipt of the Committee's report to decide whether anything needs to be done for the future.

Mr. Bennett

In view of the nature of that reply, I feel bound to say that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity on the Adjournment.