§ 22. Mr. M. Stewartasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what action he will take to help the ratepayers of the City of Oxford, in view of the effect on the rating of Oxford colleges of a recent decision by the Lands Tribunal and the operation of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1961.
§ Sir K. JosephI have no powers in connection with the Lands Tribunal, nor am I persuaded that either event justifies special action.
§ Mr. StewartBut the Minister has power to introduce legislation on the subject. Is not he aware that the combined effect of the two events mentioned in the Question is to cause the colleges to contribute proportionately only one-third of what they did contribute to the city's revenue and to involve the city in a loss of about £140,000? This is a quite exceptional and, I think, unforeseen result. Will the Minister consider whether he ought to legislate?
§ Sir K. JosephI agree with the colleges' view that correct assessment is one thing and rate relief another. Nor is this feature unique to Oxford. There are many areas where charities which mandatorily escape half their rates have an effect on the local authority's income. I agree with the Pritchard Committee's Report, that we cannot distinguish between Oxford and Cambridge colleges, on the one hand, and educational charities as a whole, on the other.
§ Mr. StewartIn the Gracious Speech we are promised legislation on rates. Is it the Minister's intention to attempt to deal with this problem in that legislation?
§ Sir K. JosephI could escape by saying that the hon. Gentleman must wait for the legislation, but I think that it would be wrong to encourage any hope. If he reads what I have said about this legislation, he will see that it will not go at all wide.