§ Mr. ROWLANDSasked the President of the Local Government Board what steps the Board has taken to bring about economies in municipal administration; and in how many London boroughs have the rates been reduced since the beginning of the War?
§ Mr. LONGMy Department takes every opportunity of impressing on Local Authorities the urgent need for economy. Practically no loans are being sanctioned except in connection with war work. Some boroughs contain several different rating areas, but I find that the rate was lower in twenty-three rating areas in the Metropolis for the year ending March, 1916, than for the previous year, and was lower in twenty-six areas for the half-year ending March, 1916, than for the half-year ended March, 1915. I will send the hon. Member a statement showing the amount of the rates.