§ Mr. KELLAWAYasked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that the rates of the industrial districts of London are on an average about 1s. 6d. in the £ more than the rates of wealthy districts such as the City, Westminster, and Kensington; and whether, seeing that this forms a handicap to London industries, with a view to securing equality of treatment for all parts of London, he proposes to introduce legislation to equalise rates throughout the Metropolis?
§ Mr. BURNSI am aware that in certain industrial areas in London the rates are considerably higher than in the districts referred to by my hon. Friend. The matter is one to which I have given a good deal of attention, but I am not in a position at the present time to promise early legislation on the subject. As my hon. Friend is aware, the question of local taxation is under consideration by a Departmental Committee.