§ 4.8 p.m.
§ Amendments reported (according to Order). Then, Standing Order No. 41 having been dispensed with (pursuant to Resolution):
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF MUNSTER)My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now read a third time.
§ Moved, that the Bill be now read 3a.—(The Earl of Munster.)
588§ LORD JESSELMy Lords, on the Second Reading of this Bill I drew attention to the heavy additional burden which had been placed on the outdoor advertising contractors and owners of piers. They get no relief under this Bill, and are faced with the certainty of increased poundages of their new assessments, partly as the result of the relief given to others under the Bill. I did not put down an Amendment on the Committee stage, because I appreciated that nothing could be done this year, as we are now too near the new rating period. However, there is no reason why an adjustment should not be made in time for the financial year 1958. I hope the Government can promise that this matter will be sympathetically considered when the comprehensive rating Bill which we are told will be introduced before the end of the year is brought forward.
§ THE EARL OF MUNSTERMy Lords, I appreciate fully what my noble friend has said, and I will convey his observations to my right honourable friend to see whether the point which he has made can be included in the major measure which will be coming along in the new Session.
§ On Question, Bill read 3a, with the Amendments, and passed, and returned to the Commons.
§ House adjourned at ten minutes past four o'clock.