§ Sir F. Sandersonasked the Minister of Health (1) the period occupied by the Departmental Committee on Valuation for Rates in its deliberations leading to its submission of the Report of the Committee;
(2) the names of those members of the Departmental Committee on Valuation for Rates who signed the majority Report; whether one or more minority Reports were submitted; and, if so, by whom;
(3) whether he is aware that the Central Valuation Committee in its Annual Report for the year ended 31st March, 1940, stated that it had not been possible to make any further progress towards the main object of the Committee, namely, the promotion of general uniformity of valuation owing to the necessity of awaiting the Report of the Departmental Committee on Valuation for Rates; and whether he will reconsider his decision not to publish same?
§ Mr. E. BrownThe Departmental Committee held its first meeting on 8th July, 1938, and its final meeting on 2nd August, 1939. All the members, except Lady (Ernest) Simon, signed a majority report, though in some cases with reservations, and one member added a supplemental report. Lady Simon submitted a minority report. I am aware of the passage in the report of the Central Valuation Committee, but, in my view, the other factors referred to in the context from which this quotation is taken have so materially changed the situation that the investigations of the Departmental Committee within their terms of reference are largely out of date. I see no good reason for reconsidering my decision.