§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government how many local authorities have taken advantage of the power granted them by the Local Government Act of 13th December, 1966, to levy half rates on houses empty after a period of three months; how many houses have so far been levied in this way; and, as many empty houses rapidly become derelict and thus their rateable values fall so low as to yield almost no rates, if he will amend the Act to levy full rates on all houses at their occupied value and so help to stop more houses becoming uninhabitable.
§ Mr. MacCollAt 8th March 23 authorities had sent my right hon. Friend copies of their resolutions adopting these provisions. No liability to pay half rates can arise before 1st July. My right hon. Friend has at present no proposals for amending the Act.