HC Deb 26 November 1946 vol 430 cc291-3W
Mr. Sharp

asked the Minister of Health what total revenue was raised by local authorities in England and Wales from the rates in each of the financial years from 1935–36; and the additional revenue obtained from Exchequer grants-in-aid.

Mr. Bevan

The following table shows the total revenue raised by local authorities in England and Wales from rates in each of the financial years from the year 1935–36 to the year 1942–43, and the additional revenue obtained from Exchequer grants during each of those years. I regret that final figures are not available for the subsequent years.

Year ended 31st March. Income from Rates. Income from Government Grants.
£ (millions) £ (millions)
1936 … … 164.9 132.9
1937 … … 172.8 135.6
1938 … … 177.3 136.1
1939 … … 191.4 140.2
1940 … … 201.3 *181.9
1941 … … 203.9 *226.0
1942 … … 198.9 *278.3
1943 … … 200.4 *248.1
* Includes reimbursement from Government Departments in respect of Emergency Services.

Mr. Sharp

asked the Minister of Health the total capital expenditure of local authorities in England and Wales for each of the financial years since 1935–36; and the amount of this contributed from the Exchequer.

Mr. Bevan

The following table shows the total capital expenditure of local authorities in England and Wales for each of the financial years from 1935–36 to 1942–43, and the amount contributed from the Exchequer. I regret that figures for subsequent years are not yet available.

Year ended 31st March. Capital Expenditure. Government Grants.
£ (millions) £ (millions)
1936 … … 87.8 2.5
1937 … … 105.7 4.1
1938 … … 130.0 5.4
1939 … … 141.7 6.6
1940 … … 110.3 *12.5
I941 … … 56.4 *l4.4
1942 … … 41.7 *16.6
1943 … … 37.5 *10.4
* Includes reimbursements from Government Departments in respect of Emergency Services.

Mr. Sharp

asked the Minister of Health if he will give an estimate of the percentages of rate revenue of local authorities in England and Wales derived from houses and flats, industrial premises, railways, shops and commercial premises, respectively.

Mr. Bevan

I regret that no figures are available of the percentages of rate revenue derived in England and Wales from houses and flats, industrial premises, railways, shops and commercial premises, respectively. In respect of industrial premises and railways the rateable values in April, 1946, represented 3.2 per cent. and 0.6 per cent., respectively, of the total rateable value of all hereditaments in England and Wales; but, as rate poundages vary as between one rating area and another, these percentages would not necessarily apply in relation to rate revenue.