§ Sir W. de FRECEasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn by the National Association of Auctioneers to the fact that many of the hospitals of the country are being subject to increased rates owing to the operation of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925; whether he is aware that no uniform method of assessing hospitals has been adopted by local rating authorities; and whether, having regard to the fact that scientific and literary societies are exempt from rates under the Scientific and Literary Societies Act, 1843, he will take steps to provide for the total exemption of voluntary hospitals from all local rates, or at least to provide for some uniform method of assessing them on a preferential basis?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have received a communication from the National Association of Auctioneers on this subject. I am not yet in possession of any general information as to the effects of566W the revaluation on hospital assessments, and I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member for Newcastle, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle).