HC Deb 18 June 1968 vol 766 cc898-9
4. Mr. Murton

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what assistance he proposes for domestic ratepayers in 1969–70.

Mr. Greenwood

This will emerge after the negotiations with the local authorities on rate support grant this autumn.

Mr. Murton

Would the right hon. Gentleman give the House a firm declaration that he will not go back on the undertaking given by his predecessor on Second Reading of the Local Government Bill that in the next year the domestic relief would be the equivalent of 1s. 8d. in the £?

Mr. Greenwood

The rate support grant has to be negotiated every other year with the local authority associations. It would be a great discourtesy to them to anticipate the result of those negotiations, which will take place in the autumn.

Mr. Crawshaw

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the credit for this great benefit which has been given by the Government is being taken by many Conservative-controlled councils? Would he please make it clear that any stabilising of the rateable value has been brought about by the farsighted legislation of this Government?

Mr. Greenwood

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend. We are, of course, talking about rate poundage and the House may like to know that the net average increase for domestic ratepayers over the last three years has been only one penny, which I think is a tribute to the Government.

Mr. Rippon

Why will the right hon. Gentleman not answer clearly my hon. Friend's question? Will he acknowledge that if the relief next year does not amount to the equivalent of 1s. 8d. in the £, that will be another Government pledge broken?

Mr. Greenwood

I decline to give an answer at this stage because, unlike the right hon. and learned Gentleman, I hate being discourteous.

Mr. Rippon

Then how could it be given on Second Reading?