§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is aware that many West End hotels will have to pay rate increases of 100 per cent. and some as much as 140 per cent. due to revaluation; and, as these increases will have to be passed on, thus increasing costs for business people, manufacturers, etc., contrary to the Government's prices and incomes policy, what action he proposes to prevent these rate increases.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsMy right hon. and learned Friend does not have information concerning individual hotels in20W the West End but the purpose of the revaluation is to redistribute rate liabilities in accordance with up-to-date values. This is not, in itself, inflationary. The Government have already undertaken to give more grant to local authorities than ever before in order to moderate the average rate increases.