§ Mr. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the average 183W annual rate burden for the occupier of the average council house in Scotland in 1951, 1955, 1959 and 1962, respectively.
§ Mr. NobleThe estimated average amounts of rates paid by a council house tenant in Scotland were as follows:
£ s. d. 1951 10 13 11 1955 15 6 6 1959 31 10 7 1962 34 14 9 The amounts for 1951 and 1955 relate to occupiers' rates only so that no valid comparison can be made between them and the figures for 1959 and 1962. Under the Valuation and Rating (Scotland) Act, 1956, separate owners' and occupiers' rates were abolished and a combined rate levied on occupiers from 16th May, 1957. At the same time rents were reduced by the amount of owners' rates in the previous year.