Mr Geoffrey Clifton-Brown (Cotswold, Conservative)

I am afraid that we need to rehearse—or re-rehearse—the question of unitary authorities, because clause 61, uniquely in the Bill, uses the term ''unitary county council''. Does that term include all unitary authorities? Does it include unitary metropolitan district councils? It is another example of how untidily this and other Bills have been

drafted, and we will need to tidy up the term, particularly as the Government are proposing more unitary authorities for this country. Will the Under-Secretary consider that matter, if not today then perhaps at a later stage? We raised it with the Minister for Local Government and the Regions recently, and we will continue to raise it every time we get a list of local authorities until the matter is tidied up.

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

I understand the hon. Gentleman's point. It is interesting that unitary councils are referred to only in certain legislation. In clause 61, the definition of ''unitary county councils'' is clear. It does not include unitary authorities, but the other parts of the billing authority will, not least because billing authorities will be at that tier of local authority. Those matters are adequately covered.

Clause 61 deals at length with definitions of terms in part 4 and provisions about central list ratepayers. I commend the clause to the Committee.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 61 ordered to stand part of the Bill.