HC Deb 26 November 1963 vol 685 cc49-50
10. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he is satisfied with the extent to which local authorities are making use oftheir discretion to grant rate relief to sporting and other clubs; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Corfield

As the hon. Member knows, the granting of relief was made a matter of discretion so that local authorities could take account of the circumstances of individual clubs. My right hon. Friend has not the detailed information necessary to form a view.

I would add that he regards it as an abuse of the discretion conferred by Parliament for a local authority to decide, as a few are reported to have done, to reject all applications for relief without even considering their merits.

Mr. Henderson

In view of the importance of this discretion to cricket, football and other sporting clubs throughout the country, and the wide divergence in the decisions taken—some clubs have been given 1 per cent, relief and others 95 per cent.—would not the Minister consider issuing a letter to all local authorities as a guide to them, on the basis of which they may exercise their discretion?

Mr. Corfield

As the right hon. and learned Gentleman probably knows, the Minister did, in a circular, particularly draw the attention of local authorities to the concern of the House with this problem, particularly where amateur sports clubs would be facing a very heavy rate burden. I think that it would be premature to take further action at the moment, but I am in touch with those local authorities that have refused to consider the matter.

Mr. Shinwell

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that when the Bill was in Standing Committee, an Amendment was on the Notice Paper to provide for discretionary relief to a variety of clubs—working-men's clubs and others—and the Minister asked that it should be withdrawn, as the local authorities had full discretion and would no doubt use that discretion wisely? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that is not being done, but that some local authorities are using tie discretion with fairness to clubs and that others are completely rejecting applications?

Mr. Corfield

I think that some variation is inherent in the word "discretion", and, bearing in mind that the cost of any relief granted falls on the rest of the ratepayers, I should have thought that it was the representatives of the ratepayers who most properly had the discretion.

Mr. Ellis Smith

Will the Parliamentary Secretary consult his right hon. Friend with a view to putting this matter on a proper basis? Will he ask his right hon. Friend to consult his right hon. Friend the Minister of Education—and Mr. Quintin Hogg, who, I understand, is responsible for this—in order to put the whole business on a different basis?

Mr. Corfield

We shall certainly consider the matter, and if anything arises from the discussions we shall take action.