§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Minister of Housing and Local Government if, in order to accelerate the improvement of houses in Wales, he will introduce legislation to exempt central heating systems from liability to local rates.
§ Mr. Denis HowellI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bebington (Mr. Brooks) on 16th December. The liability for increased rates is small compared with the cost of the heating installation which gives rise to it, and I do not think people are thereby deterred from improving their houses in this way.—[Vol. 793, c.268.]