HC Deb 08 July 1937 vol 326 cc579-80W
Mr. Lee

asked the Minister of Health what relation does the Central Valuation Committee bear to the local assessment and rating authorities; to what extent is it empowered by his Department to override their decisions or impose its will upon them; and have the local committees any responsibility to the central committee other than to submit reports of their proceedings?

Sir K. Wood

The Central Valuation Committee, which consists largely of members of assessment committees and rating authorities, is a body appointed under the Rating and Valuation Act, 1925, for the purpose of promoting uniformity in valuation for rating. To that end the committee are invested with certain powers by the Act and the statutory scheme made under it, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. The committee have no jurisdiction with regard to the determination of individual assessments, which are matters for the local rating and assessment authorities, subject to the right of any person aggrieved to appeal to the courts, but they have issued a number of recommendations on points of principle designed to promote uniformity of valuation which have been widely followed by local authorities.