Clause 25
10:30 am
John Healey (Minister of State (Local Government), Department for Communities and Local Government; Wentworth, Labour)
The hon. Gentleman made that case clearly and strongly in previous discussions. Clause 25 is perhaps not the most appropriate point to consider that issue or such amendments, not least because it provides for billing authorities in two-tier areas to make information available to the levying authority where that is necessary for the administration of the BRS. However, in general terms, as I think my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary has indicated to him, our basic approach in framing the legislation is to look to any potential levying authority to prepare projects and the actual use of a BRS in an open and consultative manner. The general question of what should be required of levying authorities in carrying out that responsibility if they choose to exercise the powers is dealt with in the draft guidance, which is now out for consultation.
My hon. Friend and I have listened carefully to the points that the hon. Gentleman and other members of the Committee have made about the open, consultative provision of information. We will reflect further on the specific point that he has made, which essentially is to ensure that that approach is continued once a BRS is introduced, and not just in the period up to its potential introduction.
The clause, as I explained briefly, allows the levying authority to gather the information that it needs to fulfil its duties under the Bill, while ensuring that the information that it gains from the billing authorities cannot be exploited or misused, but is used only for the particular purposes. The safeguards are in place, setting out clearly that the levying authority can use the information only for the purposes of the BRS and not for any other use, and that the information cannot be disclosed to another authority for other, non-BRS-related business. On that basis, I hope that members of the Committee will see the importance of the clause.