§ Sir F. FLANNERYasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the delay in the payment of local rates, or the payment of the customary contributions in lieu of such rates, upon the buildings erected on Osea Island, Essex, which are permanent buildings that were built and rated before the Admiralty took possession of the island for CM. boats; whether the Treasury valuer wrote to the clerk of the Maldon Rural District Council on the 29th March last promising that the matter should receive early attention; and whether the delay can now be explained?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe matter has been in suspense pending the decision of the Government whether this shall be a permanent establishment or not. If it is to be permanent the whole of the new buildings will be specially inspected and valued, with a view to a contribution in lieu of rates being granted in respect of them. Until more complete information as to the terms of occupation and the decision as to permanence is received the matter has not sufficiently matured for the Treasury Valuer to deal with satisfactorily.