§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
VISCOUNT GAGEMy Lords, I do not think I need detain you very long explaining this Bill. It is indeed, I think, largely self-explanatory. The object of the Bill is merely to relieve the ratepayer of any obligation to pay rates or to have assessed for rates buildings that have been erected solely for the purpose of protecting the public against air raids. It will be seen that the Bill is a one-clause measure. Subsection (3) is required only because in its absence it would be impossible to bring into rating in London a room or hereditament which, though designed for air-raid purposes, was in fact used for other purposes, until the expiration of the valuation period of five years. As your Lordships know, the rating law in the case of London differs from that in the rest of England. I beg to move that the Bill be now read a second time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Viscount Gage.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.