Rating System

Oral Answers to Questions — Local Government – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 8 February 1966.

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Photo of Mr Paul Rose Mr Paul Rose , Manchester, Blackley 12:00, 8 February 1966

asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government when he proposes to initiate legislation with a view to a fundamental change in the rating system.

Photo of Mr Robert Mellish Mr Robert Mellish , Bermondsey

With permission I will circulate the information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Statistics of industrialised building relate only to dwellings built by local authorities and new town corporations and for these only since the beginning of 1964. Very few, if any, houses have been built by industrialised methods by other agencies.

Photo of Mr Thomas Urwin Mr Thomas Urwin , Houghton-le-Spring

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply, but would he accept the fact that Cmnd. 2206, issued by the last Administration, though very belatedly, established a target requiring a 38 per cent. increase in housing in the Northern Region? Without planning requirements being carried out, can my hon. Friend say how soon it will be before even this modest target is reached?

Photo of Mr Robert Mellish Mr Robert Mellish , Bermondsey

With industrialised system building, whatever has happened in the past we can say that the prospects for the future are extremely good, because in the public sector, for which we have a great deal of responsibility, we are very much hoping that the figures will show an increase from 18 per cent. of the total last year to 25 per cent. or 28 per cent. this year.

Following is the information:

he will now introduce legislation to replace the rating system by a more equitable method of local government finance.

Photo of Mr Richard Crossman Mr Richard Crossman , Coventry East

I would refer my hon. Friends to my reply on 2nd February to a Question by the hon. Member for Manchester, Ardwick (Mr. L. M. Lever).

Photo of Mr Paul Rose Mr Paul Rose , Manchester, Blackley

I appreciate that reply, but would my right hon. Friend bear in mind the enormous burden of rates that falls on families this year, in particular? Would he take action in the matter of priority so as at least to transfer some of the burden from the rates to the Exchequer?

Photo of Mr Richard Crossman Mr Richard Crossman , Coventry East

As my hon. Friend knows, we are certainly concerned about this matter. We are now preparing our second rating Measure, which will be presented to the House in a relatively short time.