HL Deb 28 March 1974 vol 350 cc753-5

4.28 p.m.

LORD GARNSWORTHY rose to move, That the Rating of Minor Structural Alterations to Dwellings (Specified Amount) Order 1974, be approved. The noble Lord said: This Order is made under Section 21 of the Local Government Act 1974. That section has the effect of excluding proposals being made to change the valuation list if structural alterations have been made to a property, either to install central heating or if the alterations would give rise to an increase in gross value not exceeding a prescribed amount. The purpose of this Order is to prescribe the amount, and we think £30 is the right figure. This means that if a householder builds a normal sized garage his rateable value will not be increased between revaluations. The same will apply to porches, bay windows and so forth.

I hope that if your Lordships approve this Order we shall have got rid of one of the irritations of the rating system. Many ratepayers have complained that they are penalised for improving their properties; this Order will ensure that they get a respite. The respite cannot be made permanent because that would not be fair to other ratepayers but at least we can remove the immediate source of complaint. I therefore commend this Order to your Lordships.

Moved, That the Rating of Minor Structural Alterations to Dwellings (Specified Amount) Order 1974, be approved.—(Lord Garnsworthy.)

BARONESS YOUNG

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord, Lord Garnsworthy, for explaining this Order so clearly. As this is the first opportunity that I have had to do so, I should like to congratulate him on his new job. I assume that he will be speaking on all matters to do with the Department of the Environment and I hope that he will enjoy his work. I am sure that he wil find it as interesting and as worth while as I did. At the same time, I feel certain that he will not in any sense tyke it amiss if I repeat what has been said to me by Members in all parts of your Lordships' House and by people outside, that it is a matter of disappointment that we do not have a Minister in this House who is responsible for environmental matters. I say that because we have so many Members here who are not only experts in, but are practising members of, local government, and people who are acknowledged nationally for their interest in the environment.

I very much welcome this Order which, as the noble Lord explained so clearly, flows from the Local Government Act 1974 which was the very last Act of the Conservative Government. As he said, the Order removes an inequity and a great irritation to householders who make relatively small improvements to their properties and who, without this Order, would immediately find themselves being charged with increased rates because the values had gore up. Also, it was most helpful of the noble Lord to give some examples of the kind of minor improvements which the Order will cover. I understand that it will give relief until the next revaluation and will therefore tide people over this interim period. As I said, I am glad to welcome the Order and I wish the noble Lord every success in his work with the Department of the Environment.

LORD GARNSWORTHY

My Lords, may I begin by thanking the noble Baroness, Lady Young, for what she has said about myself. I am very conscious of the manner in which she discharged her duties while she was at the Department of the Environment. I have beard nothing but praise for the diligence and the expertise which she brought to the discharge of her duties and she has left a lasting impression there.

As regards the question of my always speaking on matters to do with the environment, no one is more relieved than I to say that that will not be so. That would indeed be a vast undertaking. I shall give such service as I can to the House and to the Department, and I fully appreciate what the noble Baroness has said. But I should like to repeat what was said earlier, that my noble friend the Leader of the House will be heavily involved with the Department of the Environment. I think it will be some comfort to your Lordships to know that he will have an office there and will be playing a very considerable part in dealing with matters to do with the Department. I trust that that will allay many fears. Knowing the ability of my noble Leader and his capacity for work, I am quite sure that he will often be speaking for the Department. Finally, I should like to thank the noble Baroness for what she has said about this Order.

On Question, Motion agreed to.