§ 61. Mr. Houghtonasked the Secretary to the Treasury why it is any longer necessary to continue to employ private valuers on contract to do special work on valuation for rating in view of the postponement of the deposit of the new valuation lists until April, 1956, and the resulting slackening of work in the Valuation Office.
§ Mr. H. BrookeThe question of Inland Revenue staff taking over this special work will not arise until the contracts with private surveyors expire on 31st March, 1958.
§ 62. Mr. Houghtonasked the Secretary to the Treasury how many contracts have been placed with private valuers for special work for the Valuation Office; and what is the estimated cost in fees for the 10 years' duration of these contracts.
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§ Mr. H. BrookeOne hundred and nineteen contracts with 58 firms. The contracts run from 1st February, 1950, or later, until 31st March, 1958. On the best estimates that can at present be made, the fees for the whole period may amount to about £3½ million.
§ 63. Mr. Houghtonasked the Secretary to the Treasury on what basis the fees are paid to private valuers for special work for the Valuation Office; and what limitations the terms of the contracts place upon their freedom to engage in private professional work directly or indirectly on behalf of appellants against their own valuations for rating.
§ Mr. H. BrookeIn general, the fees are related to net annual values as finally determined after any objections and appeals have been settled. They are paid in accordance with scales negotiated with the professional bodies representing the private surveyors.
The contracts require the private surveyors to deal on behalf of the Inland Revenue with objections and appeals arising from their own valuations but, in accordance with ordinary professional practice, leave the private surveyors free to act for the ratepayer in any case in which they are not acting for the Inland Revenue.