Major BARNESasked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the change in values and circumstances brought about in consequence of the War and the desire of assessment authorities throughout the country to have a revaluation of pre-War assessments, the Government will furnish guidance to the 926W assessment authorities who are faced with the difficulty that railways and collieries, both of which must be included in a revaluation, have been in Government control for some time and information usually obtainable from railway companies and colliery companies on which to form bases of assessment is in Government possession; whether ho will be prepared to lot the assessing authorities have such information in the same way as would have been done by the railway companies and colliery companies before the War; whether, having regard to the provisions of the Kent Restriction Acts, the Government will also issue their views on their effect on rateable value for the information of assessment authorities in dealing with the classes of property affected by such Acts; and whether, having regard to the fact that increased expenditure by local authorities would appear to be necessitated for some time to come, the Government will facilitate all measures which may be necessary to bring about a true valuation of hereditaments for the purpose of assessment?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Government is of the opinion that, in view of the abnormal conditions which at present exist, any general revaluation is undesirable. With regard to the effect of the Rent Restriction Acts on Rateable Value, this is a question which must be decided by the Courts.