§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Health the total amount of the increased assessments for the various local authorities comprising the West Ham Poor Law Union area, and the amount of the increase in the assessments for Barking and Ilford?
§ Sir K. WOODIt is assumed that the hon. Member refers to the assessments in the lists in course of preparation under the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925. My right hon. Friend is unable to supply the information as the lists have not yet been finally approved by the assessment committees.
§ Mr. EVERARDasked the Minister of Health if consideration has been given to the fact that the instructions, issued under the Rating Act for the revision of assessments, to the effect that the revision of hereditaments of £40 annual value and above are to be carried out by professional assessors, whose remuneration is a percentage of the revised assessment, will result in offering a financial inducement to the fixing of high assessments; and what is the scale of such remuneration?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have not issued, and am not empowered to issue, instructions in the matter to which my hon. Friend refers. I understand that, in a number of areas, arrangements have been made by the local authorities concerned for the valuation of certain classes of hereditament by expert valuers who are remunerated on a percentage basis. In such cases the valuers are usually required, without extra remuneration, to defend their valuations, if challenged, before the assessment committees and the Courts. The percentage is a percentage on the valuation which is sustained on objection or appeal, and I see no good ground for the assumption that2154W the arrangement, which has long been commonly adopted, will have the result suggested. I am informed that the scale of remuneration varies according to circumstances, but that anything from 1 per cent. to 2 per cent. is not uncommonly adopted as the basis.