§ Mr. ARNOTTasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in the city of Hull the reduction of the compounding allowances for rates to owners of property, subject to such allowances, effected by the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, involves additional payments for rates by these owners of £65,000 per annum; that under the Rent Restrictions Act the owners are permitted to pass this increase on to their tenants; that in consequence 42,000 tenants in Hull are now called upon to pay to their landlords this increase of £65,000 in addition to any other increases due to re-assessment or any alteration in the rates; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to relieve these tenants and others similarly situated of this liability?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI am aware of the circumstances in Hull. The rate charges falling to be borne by the tenants of the houses in question are affected not merely by the alteration in the percentage of owners' allowances, but also by the level of assessment. That is a matter which is within the discretion of the local authorities, and is not one in which I have any power enabling me to intervene. An increase in the scale of owners' allowances could only be effected by legislation, and would not in my view be generally justifiable.