HC Deb 10 February 1966 vol 724 cc590-1
10. Mr. Box

asked the First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Economic Affairs if he will refer the proposed increases in local authority rates over the 3½ per cent. norm to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.

Mr. George Brown

I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer I gave to the hon. Member for Harborough (Mr. Farr) on 25th November, 1965.

Mr. Box

Is not that reply in direct contradiction to the Government's Prices and Incomes Policy White Paper, page 9, paragraph 16, lines 5, 6 and 7, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fear and trepidation which millions of ratepayers throughout the country feel as they face rises of between 10 and 20 per cent in their rates as a result of the Government's policy? Will he reconsider?

Mr. Brown

Increases in the rate burden are not a novel thing which happen under the present Government. What is novel under the present Government is that we are now taking steps to deal with it by the legislation now before the House.

Mr. Iain Macleod

Does not the First Secretary realise that what he has said is not an answer to my hon. Friend? In his own White Paper he makes a specific reference, which has been quoted, to the incomes of local authorities. In view of that, why does he not refer these rises, which cause so much anxiety to so many millions of householders, to the Prices and Incomes Board?

Mr. Brown

Because we have decided to deal with it by way of legislation which is already before the House, and further legislation which will be coming before the House very shortly.

Mr. Box

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.