Mr. C. I. Off-Ewingasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if he will make a statement about the rating revaluation and the investigation into the operation of the equalisation grants provided for by the Local Government Act, 1948.
§ Mr. H. MacmillanIt has become clear that the revaluation cannot be completed by April, 1953. The Government have considered whether it could be carried 143W out in two stages, but we think it important to revalue all classes of property simultaneously even at the cost of some delay. New legislation will, therefore, be introduced giving power to postpone the date but we shall aim at finishing by April, 1956, at the latest and earlier if possible.
In view of this, the Government have decided to begin in the new financial year an investigation into the operation of the equalisation grants. It must be understood that the Government cannot contemplate changing the system in any way which would increase the burden of grants on the Exchequer but this investigation will have the scope and be conducted in the manner required for the statutory investigation in the year in which the revaluation comes into operation.