Clause 16
Business Rate Supplements Bill
6:45 pm
Nick Raynsford (Greenwich and Woolwich, Labour)
I am very grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s support. It could not ever be an automatic balancing item because we do not know enough. We would not know the composition of the landowning register until it was compiled, so there would be an ad hoc element to it. None the less, at least there is the prospect of this larger contribution from landowners, which would then allow some reduction—we do not know how much—in the contribution of the BID tenants. That is the key to avoiding a conflict between BRS and BIDs.
I do not expect my right hon. Friend the Minister to accept the amendment, because it involves a change in the title of the Bill, as those who have looked closely at the effect of the amendment will see. We have had to change the scope of the Bill to allow this measure to be included. This is quite big stuff, and I understand that although my right hon. Friend may be sympathetic, he will probably not be able to accept this.
Mr. Fieldrose—