§ Mr. C. Howellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs how many requests for the postponement of a hearing before a Local Valuation Court set up under the Local Government Act, 1948, have been refused by the tribunal for each area each year since 1948.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. C. Howellasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs, in view of the fact that only appellants who appear or are represented before a Local Valuation Court and are aggrieved by its decision can appeal to the Lands Tribunal, what action he proposes to protect anyone unable to appear or whose representative is unable to appear and the Local Valuation Court has refused an application for postponement and given a decision in the appellant's absence.
§ Mr. H. BrookeI have no evidence that applications for postponement are being refused unreasonably. Moreover, an appellant who cannot appear in person can secure the right of appeal to the Lands Tribunal by arranging for any neighbour, friend or relative to make a formal appearance on his behalf.