Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative)

Good morning, Mr. Griffiths. I must report to the Committee that I conflicted with the cleaners because I was unable to use the lift, which was stuck in the basement. However, the stairs are becoming easier, not because the steps are becoming fewer but because I am becoming a little fitter. If the Committee does nothing else, it might help my health.

The Committee will recall that we had started on part 4 of the Bill covering arrangements for business improvement districts and had had a long debate on whether property owners should contribute. We then moved on to clause 44 and how local communities will be consulted. At that stage the Under-Secretary must have been getting tired because he dismissively waved the matter aside, but I suggested that he and the Minister would probably have to return to the matter because if BIDs are to get off the ground and to be satisfactory, local communities will have to be on board.

Clause 45 covers additional contributions and actions and subsection (2) describes the people who may have to make contributions. One of the major groups is the billing authority and other superior and lower authorities—the county councils' own parish councils if part of their area falls within the BID. It also refers to other people who are

''authorised or required to do so in accordance with the arrangements.''

I want to quiz the Minister on that. What are those categories of other people? It was made fairly clear in previous debates that residents would not be required to pay, but if residents were involved in a scheme that was clearly to their benefit, one wonders in what circumstances they might choose to pay or be required to pay. It is worth trying to tease that out from the Minister.

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