Earl of Dalkeithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for amending the law of rating and valuation in Scotland.
§ Mr. MaclayThe Rating and Valuation Bill, introduced on Thursday, 17th November, extends only to England and Wales. The Government propose, however, that one of its main provisions, the full rating of industry and freight transport, should be applied to Scotland in 1963 or, if that proves impracticable, as soon thereafter as possible. Legislation to this effect will be introduced in due course. I also propose to consider, in the light of the outcome of the Scottish revaluation in 1961, whether any further amendments of the Scottish law of valuation and rating are required, and in particular whether there is any need in Scotland for a power to reduce the rateable value of dwellinghouses on the lines of that provided in the English Bill.