§ 25. Mr. Rossiasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he proposes to introduce legislation to make statutory the concessions in respect of the betterment levy which are already being permitted by Her Majesty's Government on an extra-statutory basis.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonAt the earliest convenient opportunity.
§ Mr. RossiAs the Minister announced his intentions as long ago as April and July last, why is there still not a Bill before the House? Would not a better way of dealing with the matter be to introduce a Bill to exempt owner-occupiers and properties below a certain value from the betterment levy and also release the Land Commission itself from a great deal of unnecessary and tedious work?
§ Mr. RobinsonThat supplementary question goes far beyond the bounds of the original Question, which deals with 202 extra-statutory concessions. The reason that these have not been given statutory authority hitherto is simply that there has not been a suitable legislative opportunity. The hon. Gentleman will not expect me to anticipate the legislative programme, but I hope that an opportunity will come before very long.