§ 67. Mr. Mawbyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the long delay in the hearing of appeals against rating assessments; and if he intends to appoint extra staff.
§ Mr. MacDermotLocal Valuation Panels, which hear appeals against rating assessments, are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government. If the hon. Member is referring to Valuation Office staff, in some areas shortages of valuers contribute to the delay, but every effort is being made to recruit additional staff.