§ Sir F. Sandersonasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the valuable assistance which could be derived by all who seek to improve the system of local government, he will now consider the publication of the report of the recent Departmental Committee on rating?
§ Mr. N. Bowerasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the recent publication of the reports of the Scott and Uthwatt Committees, which must have a considerable influence on any proposals for the reorganisation of local government, he will now implement the promise made by his predecessor on the 4th April, 1940, and publish the report of the Departmental Committee on Valuation for Rating at an early date?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe terms of reference to the Committee were limited to the investigation of a particular issue relating to the assessment of small houses, and had no bearing on the machinery of valuation for rates or of other local government functions. Many material factors affecting the issue investigated by the committee have substantially changed under war conditions, and I am not convinced that in present circumstances the publication of the report would serve a useful purpose.