Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative)

Before the Committee adjourned before lunch, someone—I think it was my hon. Friend the Member for Poole—rather mischievously asked whether Her Majesty would be subject to these provisions. The purpose of rising on this clause is to find out whether the Crown in the name of Her Majesty is bound by the clause and, if so, whether one of her properties could become part of a BID, in which case she would have a vote. Perhaps the Minister will give us the answer.

Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office; Shipley, Labour)

The clause states:

''This Part binds the Crown.''

It is a simple sentence, yet it contains so much.

Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative)

Is it incidental or supplemental?

Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office; Shipley, Labour)

Clause 59 provides that any Crown property, which will be mainly central Government property, will be liable for the BID levy where the Crown property falls within a business improvement district. Crown properties have been liable to pay non-domestic rates since 1 April 2000. If they fall within a business improvement district as defined within the proposals, those properties will also be liable to pay the additional BID levy and will have a vote in the BID ballot.

Mr Andrew Turner (Isle of Wight, Conservative)

Can the Minister tell me who votes for the Queen?

Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office; Shipley, Labour)

The ratepayer will have the vote in those circumstances. I hope that that is helpful and that we can allow the clause to stand part.

Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative)

This needs to be clear. Government have got themselves into this position, so they need to answer. If one of Her Majesty's properties forms part of a BID, does she or someone on her behalf have a vote in the matter?

Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office; Shipley, Labour)

That would be a matter for Her Majesty and her offices. As for any ratepayer, we should observe the privacy of that individual ratepayer to make their own arrangements on rates payment. [Interruption.] I feel quite content in what I have said, so I hope that the clause stands part.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 59 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 60 ordered to stand part of the Bill.