§ Mr. A. SAMUELasked the Minister of Health the approximate total sum to 1098W be raised throughout England, Scotland and Wales, respectively, by means of local rates during the six months September, 1920, to March, 1921; what the amount was for the period September, 1913, to March, 1914; and what sums out of those totals are in respect to expenditure that comes under the separate headings of housing and education?
§ Dr. ADDISONAs regards Scotland, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Secretary for Scotland. As regards England and Wales, the information asked for in the first part of the question will not be available until I have received the annual returns from the Local Authorities in respect of the current year. In some places the rates have not yet been made. I may say that for some time past I have been making detailed inquiry into this matter and I propose at an early date to lay before the House a paper showing the total amount raised by rates in recent years in England and Wales, the amounts in the pound of the rates in certain places for the year ending in March next, and the two previous years, together with information as to the causes of the increases in rates. With regard to housing, as the hon. Member no doubt is aware, the local burden is limited to the proceeds of a penny rate.