§ Lieut.-Colonel Macnamaraasked the Minister of Health whether he will now, owing to the situation in some counties becoming acute as a result of the war, take in hand the whole question of rates and raise them on a national basis, bearing in mind the difficulties experienced in the past by the distressed areas, the inequalities resulting from a locality favoured by climate or scenery, but producing nothing for the nation being lightly charged whilst an area where the work is done and where there is poverty is the more heavily burdened, and seeing that the problems arising out of a local rating system have not been first encountered because of enemy action?
Mr. M. MacDonaldI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the pledge given by the Government to come to the assistance of local government if as a result of the war the machinery of local government in any area should he in danger of breaking down and to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 5th September last. The Government are already in communication with a number of local authorities as to their financial difficulties. I have noted the suggestions made in the Question for consideration when a comprehensive review of the existing system of local taxation and financial relations between local authorities and the Exchequer is practicable.