§ Sir P. HURDasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been 2189W called to the difficulties experienced by rating authorities in consequence of the uncertainty as to the correct legal basis of valuation for railways; whether he is aware that the decision of the Railway and Canal Commissioners in the case of the Southern Railway, having been applied by the railway assessment authority to the London and North Eastern Railway, has resulted in a nil assessment of that railway; that under these decisions rating authorities must make great increases in the rates in order to repay the railway companies; and whether steps can be taken to expedite a final decision in the Southern Railway case so that rating authorities may ascertain what, if any, increase should be levied in the next rate period?
Sir H. YOUNGMy attention has been called to the facts stated in the question. While I am not myself in a position to take any steps to expedite proceedings which are already before the Courts, I have no doubt that the parties themselves are fully alive to the importance of obtaining a final decision as soon as possible.