[Martin Caton in the Chair] — Business Rates

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 9:30 am on 30 October 2012.

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Photo of Mark Spencer Mark Spencer Conservative, Sherwood 9:30, 30 October 2012

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on securing this important debate. One issue on high streets in my constituency is that landlords are having to pay business rates on empty properties and therefore do not have the cash to invest in those properties in order to attract new tenants. The previous Government introduced that system. Does he acknowledge that it might have been a mistake?