§ Mr. Beaneyasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs why the total 118W rateable value of houses in England and Wales is expected to rise about 2.7 times after the 1963 revaluation, from £343 million to £913 million, whereas the table in Appendix H of Command Paper No. 1663 shows that rateable values will have risen about 3.6 times between 1939 and 1963.
Dr. HillThe rise in 1963 of about 2.7 times is from the levels of the current valuation lists, which stem from the revaluation of 1956. The examples in Appendix II cover the difference between the estimated values of 1963 and those of the pre-war valuation lists.
§ Mr. Boxasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what instructions he has given to officials of his Department in regard to their interpretation of those rating and valuation laws which penalise householders who seek to improve the internal and domestic amenities of their homes.
Dr. HillNone. Those responsible for valuing property for rating purposes or for adjudicating in disputes over valuations are not officials of my Department.
§ Mr. Boxasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs what discussions he has had with valuation authorities regarding the extent to which central heating systems are included in domestic valuations, with particular reference to the merits of installing such systems as set out in the booklet entitled Homes for Today and Tomorrow, published by his Department.
Dr. HillNone. Valuation for rating is carried out by valuation officers of the Board of Inland Revenue on principles laid down by law, and I am not authorised to influence the way they apply them.
§ Mr. Boxasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he is aware of the intrusion into the privacy of the individual involved in the action of official inspectors in seeking access to private houses for the purpose of examining what improvements have been carried out affecting the gross valuation; and if he will introduce legislation to 119W curb their rights of access for such purposes.
Dr. HillNo. Inspection is a normal part of the valuation process, and I do not consider there are any grounds for concern about it.