§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the, Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when the Allen Committee on Rating will report and what action they will take on receipt of this Report.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD HASTINGS)My Lords, the Report is expected later this summer. In presenting for the first time an objective assessment of the impact of rates on households of different kinds it will provide facts essential to the Government's review of central and local government finance and help us to define the real problems more accurately. Decisions on the scale and nature of the changes required to meet those problems must clearly await the outcome of the review.
§ LORD AUCKLANDMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply. May I ask him whether he is aware that there are very many people who are suffering severe hardship as a result of the new assessments? Also, would he convey to his right honourable friend that it is urgent for some result of this inquiry to be brought forward as soon as possible?
§ LORD HASTINGSMy Lords, I shall certainly fall in with the noble Lord's suggestion, and convey to my right honourable friend his wishes. I would remind him, of course, that we passed the Rating (Interim Relief) Act, 1964, to relieve hardship.
§ LORD MORRISON OF LAMBETHMy Lords, could the noble Lord say 666 whether it is within the competence of the Committee to consider the rating of land values?
§ LORD HASTINGSNo, my Lords. That is not part of their duties. It does not fall within the terms of reference. The Committee are simply to report on the facts of the incidence of rates on different households in different parts of the country.
§ LORD HASTINGSMy Lords, I am afraid that I cannot say off-hand whether it does, but I will let the noble Duke know.