§ Mr. SHEPHERDasked the Minister of Health whether any urban district councils or other local authorities accept payments in advance in respect of rates, gas, and electricity, allowing interest on such prepaid sums until the date on which the complete payment is due?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not aware of any cases where local authorities pay interest on rates or charges paid in advance. A number of local authorities allow discount for prompt payment. I may also add that local authorities who are gas or electricity undertakers are enabled to demand security for moneys becoming due to them and, if they do so, are required to pay interest on moneys so deposited.