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Business Rate Supplements Bill

I am grateful to my noble friend for making that point. We understand that there needs to be flexibility in these matters to fit local circumstances, which will take many different forms. However, establishing the basic principle of engaging business and giving it its voice will, if nothing else, perhaps ease the way for the contributions which the business community is about to make. If they are making serious contributions and they have a seat at the table to ensure that the investment goes according to plan, that will surely be helpful. It might even be more helpful should there be additional voluntary contributions raised towards a particular project from the private sector. Again, seeing that there is good representation from the business community would aid that process.