HC Deb 21 December 1944 vol 406 cc1974-5W
Mr. C. Davies

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the the increase in rateborne expenditure due to rises in wages of roadmen, increased cost of materials, the anticipated large increase in teachers' salaries, all of which in Montgomeryshire will probably mean a county rate of 19s. in the £ for 1945–46 and to the increases under the Education Act, 1944, and the White Papers on National Insurance and Medical Services which will, without additional assistance, mean a county rate of at least 27s. 6d. in the he is now prepared to consider granting additional assistance to sparsely populated agricultural counties pending the promised revision of the general Exchequer grant.

Sir J. Anderson

I hope that the proposed review of the relations between central and local finance will have been carried out and its results put into operation before the various measures or reconstruction referred to have exercised their full effect on local expenditure. My hon. and learned Friend no doubt realises that the effect of the proposals in the White Paper on national insurance will be to relieve the rates by transferring the cost of outdoor relief to central funds.