asked the Minister of Health if he is in a position to make any communication regarding his negotiations with associations of local authorities and other interests concerned in the draft Rating and Valuation Bill issued by his Department on the 15th September, 1923; and if there are any immediate prospects of legislation on the lines of the Bill being introduced?

As a result of the circulation of the draft Bill to associations of local authorities and other interests concerned, many useful suggestions have been received. The work of dealing with these suggestions is still proceeding, but I am not yet in a position to make any definite statement on the prospects of legislation.