§ 16. Mr. Allasonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government the average sum paid in rates by a domestic ratepayer in 1951–52, in 1964–65 and in 1966–67; and what was the annual average percentage increase at compound interest between 1951–52 and 1964–65, and between 1964–65 and 1966–67.
§ Mr. MacCollThe average sum paid by a domestic ratepayer was £16 8s. 0d. in 1951–52, £25 5s. 10d. in 1961–62, £32 8s. 5d. in 1964–65 and £39 5s. 10d. in 1966–67, allowing for rate rebates. The average annual increase was 4.3 per cent. between 1951–52 and 1961–62, 8.7 per cent. between 1961–62 and 1964–65 and 11.3 per cent. between 1964–65 and 1966–67.
§ Mr. AllasonIf this is the Minister's idea of bringing early relief to ratepayers, will the Parliamentary Secretary persuade him to do the opposite?
§ Mr. MacCollThe hon. Member might like to know that the biggest single increase in any one year was in 1957, under a Conservative Government, when it was 15 per cent. The current year's increase is proportionately less than for last year, which seems to indicate that we are moving in the right direction.
§ Mr. RipponIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that we took steps to reduce the figure after 1957–58? What are the Government doing to deal with the present situation?
§ Mr. MacCollWe have taken steps to relieve the ratepayer and my right hon. Friend has made it clear in the Rate Support Grant Report that he wishes local authorities to practice all economy on the public sector.
§ 20. Mr. Murtonasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what is his latest estimate of the likely average increase in rate poundage in England and Wales in 1967–68.
§ Mr. MacCollMy right hon. Friend can make no estimate of the likely average rate poundage for 1967–68, which will depend on decisions taken by local authorities in the coming weeks.
§ Mr. MurtonIn view of the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Allason) to Question No. 16, if that is a fact, is it not quite possible, and indeed probable, that since the Labour Government came into power the average rise in rates in poundage has been 3s.?
§ Mr. MacCollI think we must wait to see the final decisions of the local authorities before we jump to a conclusion.
§ Mr. RipponWill the hon. Gentleman not agree that already the average rise has been 2s. in the £ since the Labour Party came to office? What are they going to do about that?
§ Mr. MacCollWe have seen a tremendous improvement in local services since the Labour Government came into power and, as my right hon. Friend said, we are anxious to keep up the standards within the limits the country can afford, but that must be under control.
§ Mr. OgdenIs my hon. Friend aware that Liverpool has been able to announce it can hold the rate poundage this year solely because of the subsidy being supplied by the Government?
§ 29. Mr. Grantasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government upon what criteria he fixed the domestic element of the rate support grant for 1967–68; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacCollThe domestic element for 1967–68, amounting to £23 million, represents the estimated product of a rate of 5d. in the pound on domestic here-ditaments in England and Wales. A rate of 5d. in the pound, as explained in the White Paper on Local Government Finance published last year, is equivalent to nearly half the average increase in rates since the revaluation which came into effect on 1st April, 1963.
§ Mr. GrantIs the Minister aware that the effect of the Government's policies is that the rise in rates will more than cancel out the relief which they have given in legislation so far? Is he aware of the rising anger, certainly in my constituency, about the increase in rates? What is he going to do about it?
§ Mr. MacCollThe hon. Gentleman has some very odd people in his constituency. All that I can say is that, from all the evidence that I have received, there is very great satisfaction with the working of the domestic element among all constituencies.
§ Mr. RoebuckIs my hon. Friend aware that the fact that the Government have reversed the policy of previous Conservative Administrations and are now shifting the burden from the ratepaper to the taxpayer is likely to result in my return in Harrow with an advanced majority and in the political extinction of the hon. Member for Harrow, Central (Mr. Grant)?
§ Mr. RidsdaleCould the hon. Gentle. man say how far the 5d. which the Government are giving towards rate support will go to pay for the 159,000 or so extra employees in local government which there have been since 1964?
§ Mr. MacCollThat is another question.
§ Mr. GrantIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.