§ Mr. Symondsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to remedy the anomalies which arise from levying drainage rates on the basis of assessments for the former Schedule A tax.
§ Mr. PeartYes. The most satisfactory solution to this problem in the long term would be to revalue agricultural land in internal drainage districts. This is not practicable at present, but I propose to introduce legislation as soon as possible to enable internal drainage boards to revise assessments which are seriously out of line with those on comparable properties in the district. Assessments would be revised either at the request of the owner or occupier or on the initiative of the drainage board and there would be provision for appeals. I also propose to make more satisfactory arrangements for assessing the value for drainage rate purposes of rateable properties which are only partly within a drainage district.