§ 26. Mr. Tilneyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government whether he will introduce legislation to derate tips so long as they are being removed.
§ Mr. SkeffingtonLand is liable to rates only when it is beneficially occupied. The commercial extraction of useful material from tips has been held in some cases to be beneficial occupation for this purpose. The effects of rating upon the extraction of shale are under consideration.
§ Mr. TilneyWill the Minister bear in mind that many contractors now think that it will not pay them to move these tips—or bings, as they are called in some places—but are they not an eyesore which should be removed?
§ Mr. SkeffingtonThe hon. Member may like to know that I have met representatives of the industry and asked them for detailed figures so that if a case can be made on economics to do this essential work it may be considered.
§ Mr. AshtonIs it not wrong that a Labour Government should be giving grants for the removal of these spoil heaps and then Tory councils should accept those grants and then heap on rateable value for removing them?
§ Mr. SkeffingtonLocal authorities may have no option when rates are involved. What we have to do is to establish the facts. That is what I am trying to do.