§ Lord BURGHLEYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the difficulty of land drainage commissioners in preparing valuation lists under Schedule A for the purpose of levying drainage rates under Section 24 (4) of the Land Drainage Act, 1930; and whether, in view of these difficulties, he will consider extending the period of six months' grace given in that section during which the drainage rates may be levied on the basis of acreage instead of on annual value?
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§ Sir J. GILMOURI am aware of the difficulty referred to by my Noble Friend, but would point out that although the six months' grace given in Section 24 (4) expired on 31st January last, my predecessor took advantage of certain powers under the Act to extend, to 30th September last, the period in respect of which rates levied on an acreage basis might be brought to account. I have no power to make any further extension.