§ Mr. G. Johnson Smithasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs whether he proposes to make a scheme or scheme; under Section 66 of the London Government Act, 1963, for reducing any disparities in 1965–66 and subsequent years in the rates levied in different rating areas of Greater London.
§ Sir K. JosephSection 66 requires me, before making any scheme, to consult the Common Council of the City of London, the Greater London Council and any association or committee representative of the London borough councils. I cannot therefore make much progress in this field until the new authorities have been elected and I hope that they will then be able to come forward with broadly agreed proposals. But my preliminary views are that a scheme will be needed for the inner London boroughs and the City of London and that in that area it should have effects of much the same order upon rates as the present scheme.
Although I do not wish to prejudge the issue I do not at present see the need for a scheme for other parts of Greater London.