§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the precise terms of reference and the composition of the committee appointed in 1972 to investigate the functions of valuers employed in the public service in relation to the land transactions of local authorities; when the committee presented its report; when the report will be published; and when the government will announce their views.
§ Mr. Graham PageThe terms of reference were
To examine the functions of valuers in local government and in the valuation office of the Board of Inland Revenue in relation to the land transactions of local authorities and, having regard both to the public benefit in its widest sense and to the expressed need for economy in the use of professional valuers, to consider the various facets of valuation undertaken by local authority officers and the valuation officer and to advise on the appropriate distribution of those functions in connection with such transactions.The committee comprised:
- Mr. R. S. Borner, Chairman.
- Mr. H. F. Full, County Treasurer, Derbyshire County Council.
- Mr. D. B. Harrison, Town Clerk, Sheffield County Borough Council.
- Mr. I. H. Lightman, Civil Service Department.
- Mr. C. E. Seward, Department of the Environment.
- Mr. E. A. Bullock, Inland Revenue, and Mr. L. A. Tatham, County Valuer, West Sussex, were assessors. The Secretary was Mr. R. A. Brown, Department of the Environment.
The committee presented its report on 9th February and my right hon. and learned friend is considering in consultation with his right hon. Friends and the local authority associations the further action that is necessary.