§ Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Minister of Health (1) what is the relief to rates in the Isle of Wight under the Local Government Act, 1929; and how is the relief distributed as between industrial and agricultural hereditaments;
(2) how the operation of the Local Government Act, 1929, has affected the Isle of Wight as regards the total Exchequer contribution to the local revenues; how the block grant is made up; and what precise formula has been adopted for determining the Exchequer contribution?
§ Mr. GREENWOODAccording to the latest estimates, based on the figures for 2311W the standard year, the operation of the Local Government Act, 1929, in the case of the Isle of Wight, caused a loss on account of rates amounting to £15,140 and a loss on account of grants amounting to £41,140. Against the total of these losses, namely, £56,280, should be set the total of the new Exchequer grants under the Act, namely, £69,711, giving a net gain of £13,431. It is not practicable for me to state how much of this total goes as relief to the occupiers of industrial and agricultural hereditaments. The new Exchequer grants under the Act have been calculated in the manner laid down in Part VI of the Act and the Schedules thereto. The total comprises £42,210, representing 75 per cent. of the losses on account of rates and grants; £25,566 calculated on the basis of weighted population laid down in the Fourth Schedule to the Act; and £1,935 representing supplementary grants under Section 94 of the Act. These figures are approximate and are subject to revision.