HC Deb 26 November 1963 vol 685 cc46-7
5. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs when his inquiry into the local rating system will be completed.

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

The Allen Committee, which was appointed to assess the impact of rates on householders, will report next year. The wider inquiry announced by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary will be largely dependent on its findings and I cannot set a date to its completion.

Sir G. Nabarro

Yes, but does not my right hon. Friend realise that next year is rather a critical year and that "next year"is much too inexact a statement for me? Could we not have an assurance from my right hon. Friend that the Allen Committee will present its report in February or March? Would my right hon. Friend realise that the proposed legislation for rating can only nibble at the problem if it is presented to this House in advance of the findings of the Allen Committee?

Sir K. Joseph

I recognise that the proposed legislation can only be of an interim nature pending the Allen Committee's Report but, with the best will in the world, it is not possible for the Allen Committee to digest the facts it is obtaining arid make its Report before some time in the spring or summer of next year.

Mr. MacColl

Will the right hon. Gentleman make clear what changes in the situation, apart from the misgivings very properly felt by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Sir G. Nabarro), have led him to change his policy after having announced that he did not intend any changes until after the Allen Committee had reported? What has happened to make the right hon. Gentleman now decide to introduce legislation?

Sir K. Joseph

I had, perhaps optimistically, hoped that the Allen Committee would be able to report by the end of this year. It was the discovery that, with the best will in the world and despite the use of a computer and other modern aids, the Allen Committee could not make a useful Report in such time that led the Government to take interim steps.