§ Mr. Mitchisonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that oil pipelines, in private occupation, are rateable; what is the total of contributions in aid of rates made in respect of oil pipelines maintained by the Government; and on what basis those contributions are computed.
§ Sir E. BoyleI am aware that oil pipelines in private occupation are rateable.
The total amount paid by way of contributions in lieu of rates to rating authorities in England and Wales and Scotland for the current rating year—1960–61—in respect of pipelines in the occupation of the Crown is £58,203.
The rateable values on which these contributions are granted are agreed between the Treasury Valuer and the representatives of the local authorities concerned and are arrived at in conformity with the normal principles governing the valuation of property far rating purposes. Due allowance is made in those cases where the use now being made of a particular pipeline is very much less than that for which it was originally designed and no contributions are made in respect of pipelines which are unused.
Payment is made to each rating authority concerned at the full current rate poundage on the agreed rateable values.