§ Mr. LUMLEYasked the Minister of Health if houses built under the Addison scheme by local authorities were assessed according to the cost of building then prevailing; and, if so, whether the Ministry has been giving instructions to local authorities to lower the assessment of these houses as the cost of building has fallen?
§ Mr. WHEATLEYAs regards the first part of the question, I may refer the hen. Member to Sub-section (9) of Section 12 of the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Act, 1920, which provides that the gross estimated rental of a house forming part of a housing scheme to which Section 7 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, applies, shall not exceeed the rent (exclusive of rates) charged by the local authority. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. My Department has1786W no authority to give instructions to assessment Committees as to the manner in which properties should be assessed.