HL Deb 31 July 1963 vol 252 cc1253-4WA
LORD NAPIER and ETTRICK

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Who made the decision that when a property owner decides to lodge an appeal against the new rateable value on a property, and pending a decision by the local valuation court, the new rate demand must be met to the extent of the total amount payable for 1962–63 plus half any amount by which the rates demanded for 1963–64 (or later year) exceed the amount payable for 1962–63; why this ruling was made, and is it not tantamount to saying that whatever the result of any appeal may be, no reduction in the rateable value will be applied so as to permit the new rate demand to be less than what it was up to April 1963 plus at least 50 per cent. of any increase.

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD HASTINGS)

Provision on the lines described is contained in Section 1(7) of the Rating and Valuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1955 as amended by Section 16 of the Rating and Valuation Act 1961. The Government's reasons for including in the Bill which became the Act of 1961 provision to restrict the amount which might be temporarily withheld to half the difference were fully discussed in the proceedings on the Bill in another place on 23rd February 1961 and I am sending the noble Lord a copy of the OFFICIAL REPORT. The restriction in no way prejudices the outcome of any proposal: if too much is paid in rates pending settlement, the excess must by law be repaid or allowed.