Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the President of the Local Government Board whether any of the Grant in relief of agricultural rates under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, is applied in relief of rates on agricultural land within urban areas in England, and Wales; and, if so, whether he can give any indication of the amount so applied?
§ Mr. HAYES FISHERDuring the financial year 1916–17 the payments made by the Local Government Board under the Agricultural Rates Act to town councils and urban district councils in England and Wales amounted to £36,266. This sum, however, only represents a part of the total amount applied in relief of rates on agricultural land in urban areas, as a considerable portion of the sums paid to the other local authorities must also be regarded as applied for this purpose. I have no information which would enable me to indicate the amount so applied, but I will send my hon. Friend a statement showing the sums paid to the several authorities.