§ Lieut.-Colonel Dowerasked the Minister of Health whether owners of premises in the City of Westminster are protected from any demand for rates on such premises for the period they were empty and unoccupied, or by what authority rates are demanded in such cases?
§ Mr. E. BrownA rating authority is entitled to demand rates in any case in 49W which they consider that there is beneficial occupation of a rateable hereditament. The question whether there is beneficial occupation is a matter for the decision of the authority, subject to the jurisdiction of the courts.