asked the Minister of Housing and Local Government and Minister for Welsh Affairs if he will consider drawing the attention of local authorities to Section 11 of the Rating and Valuation Act, 1961, in respect of reduction or remission of rates payable by voluntary youth organisations run on a charitable basis; and how many of those authorities exercise this discretion.

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of Circular No. 49/61 which was sent to all local authorities last November asking them to give sympathetic consideration to applications for discretionary rate relief under Section 11. As the provision has no effect until 1st April, 1963, the last part of the Question does not arise.