Mr. Edward M. Taylorasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if it is the policy of the Government to refer substantial increases in local rates arising from the devaluation measures to the National Board for Prices and Incomes, as well as substantial increases in municipal rents; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GreenwoodNo. Rates are a tax and are necessary to finance the whole range of local government services. Local authorities are democratically elected bodies and the Government will look to them to exercise all possible economy and to hold back less essential projects which can reasonably be deferred.