§ Mr. DUNNICOasked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, seeing that the assessment for local rating upon mines is based upon output in terms of tonnage and not upon either the value of the output as determined by the selling price or profit per ton, and that as a result of the mine-owners' lock-out and resultant decrease in the output the assessment upon many collieries was considerably reduced, and that as a consequence of such reduced assessment an increased burden was placed, not only upon the miners who were locked out, but also upon local business men and small shopkeepers, many of whom were reduced to the verge of bankruptcy, he will favourably consider the advisability of making an alteration in the system of rating at present in operation?
1797W
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERI would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given on Monday to a question on this subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood). My right hon. Friend will consider the point in connection with the proposed reform of the law rating.