§ Sir W. SMITHERSasked the Minister of Health whether, wherever it is established that the rate of a local authority is imposing grave hardship upon the ratepayers in South Wales and Monmouthshire, he will obtain powers to supersede such authority and, if necessary, to appoint commissioners to take over the administration?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEAREIt is the statutory duty of local authorities to levy rates sufficient to cover their estimated expenditure, and the course suggested by my hon. Friend could not in my right hon. Friend's view be justified on the ground indicated in the question.
§ Sir W. SMITHERSasked the Minister of Health how many rating authorities in South Wales and Monmouthshire are now levying rates in excess of 20s. in the£ and, in view of the fact that this is a distressed area, is he satisfied that the money thus raised is being administered and expended to the best advantage?
§ Mr. SHAKESPEARELast year 27 rating authorities out of 95 in South Wales and Monmouth levied rates in excess of 20s., apart from six rural district councils which levied such rates in some only of their parishes. My right hon. Friend is not yet in possession of full figures for the current year. As my hon. Friend is aware, my right hon. Friend has made suggestions to more than one authority for the improvement of their administration.