HC Deb 06 February 1941 vol 368 cc1103-4W
Sir R. Gower

asked the Minister of Health the number of summonses for rates issued in each of the self-governed towns in the protected areas during the last six months?

Mr. M. MacDonald

I regret that the desired information is not available. The matter is not one in which I have any jurisdiction and no returns are therefore made to me.

Sir R. Gower

asked the Minister of Health whether, with the object of saving the livelihood of both professional men and tradesmen in the protected areas, he will suggest to the local authorities the appropriateness of borrowing rather than pressing such ratepayers for the payment of gas and electricity supplied by the said authorities?

Mr. MacDonald

As my hon. Friend will appreciate, the services to which he refers are not in all cases administered by local authorities. The general financial policy to be adopted by the statutory undertakers, including questions as to the recovery of charges, subject to any provision for a moratorium which may be applicable in certain areas, is a matter primarily for the undertakers themselves to determine, and I do not think that I could properly advise in the sense suggested.