§ Mr. Lilleyasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he now proposes to make an Order extending the timetable for the hearing of valuation appeals.
§ Mr. MaclayAfter informal consultations between my Department and the local authority Associations and the Scottish Branch of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, I have decided that I should not be justified in postponing the last date for lodging appeals and complaints, which is 31st July. Any ratepayer who is aggrieved by his valuation can keep the matter open by lodging apro forma appeal by that date.
26WThe last date for the disposal of appeals by Valuation Appeal Committees is 31st October, but I am prepared to substitute a suitable later date if this, when I receive information about the volume of appeals to be heard, appears to be necessary. I am asking the assessors to send me this as soon as possible after 31st July. I have no doubt that there will be close consultation between assessors and secretaries of Valuation Appeal Committees to ensure that there is full opportunity for informal discussion between the assessor and the ratepayer before any appeal is called. The time required for such discussions is one of the factors I shall take into account.