Vol. 95 No. 12
I move:—
That a supplementary sum not exceeding £3,940 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1945, for Rates and Contributions in lieu of Rates, etc., in respect of Government Property, and for Contributions towards Rates on Premises occupied by Representatives of External Governments.
Could we get some information about this Vote?
The rate struck in a number of areas was greater than the rate that was anticipated when this Estimate was being framed. That is the main reason why we required this supplementary sum.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary give the areas in which rates have gone up? Will he say whether he, or the Minister for Local Government and Public Health or anybody else in the Government, has had complaints from certain parts of the country that rates or moneys that ought to be paid by the Government in lieu of rates on Government property are not being paid?
I understand there are some 32 or 33 rating authorities in the country and of those I think there were increases in 22 cases, decreases in nine, and two of them were as before. I do not think I can give the Deputy any information on the other points he has mentioned.
