Vol. 176 No. 11
I move:—
That a sum not exceeding £472,000 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1960, 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 the Minister tell us whether or not the increase that occurred here is computed on a poundage increase in rates in an average year or whether there are more buildings being used for which the bounty has to be paid?
The increase here is really due to a shift from one Vote to another. A Government Department, where they have lands, will no longer claim the agricultural grant from the local authority but, in turn, when Local Government are paying out a grant they will deduct a small amount which at the present time is paid by way of grant to the local authority. They will claim back the grant for employment. We are just saying: "We will not pay it out and you will not pay it back." It is a shift from Local Government to this Vote.
That would be Land Commission lands that had been acquired and not yet distributed?
Yes.
