§ 2. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he is now able to announce the conclusions of the Committee set up to examine the formula governing the rating of gas, electricity, and transport boards.
§ Mr. MellishNo, Sir. The Working Party on rating and valuation is still considering the formulae and a considerable amount of work remains to be done.
§ Mr. ShepherdCan the hon. Gentleman give the House some idea when this Committee is likely to report? The circumstances and the conditions under which this legislation was previously enacted have changed so much in recent years that it is grossly unfair to local authorities that they should continue a moment longer than is necessary.
§ Mr. MellishThis Working Party was reconvened in the autumn of 1963 and adjourned in January, 1964. It made requests to the local authorities and waited 10 months before it finally received replies from them. It has now started considering the matter again and, therefore, it is not the Working Party"s fault.