§ Mr. MacLARENasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that, owing to the development works and general improvements now being undertaken by railway companies, the London County Council, and other city and borough councils, considerable speculation is now taking place in the increasing land values contiguous to these works; and whether he will take steps to recover these increasing values by authorizing local authorities to impose a special rate on land values?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. The rating system is regulated by Statute and I have no power to take the action suggested.