HC Deb 08 June 1967 vol 747 cc253-4W
Mr. Roebuck

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government what indication he has given to local authorities concerning whether he wishes them to exercise generously or otherwise their discretion under the Rating Act, 1966, to grant full rebates to ratepayers who apply for them more than a month after the beginning of the rebate period; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. MacColl

The statute empowers rating authorities to grant late applicants full rebates wherever they are satisfied that it is reasonable and proper to do so. My center hon. Friend has encouraged rating authorities to interpret this generously, and he hopes that they will continue to do so, especially while the rate rebate scheme is still relatively new.