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Business Rate Supplements Bill

Before the noble Baroness, Lady Hamwee, withdraws the amendment, while we may take some exception, as I did earlier, to the way this consultation paper has reached us, it is right to put on record that its late publication is causing considerable dismay to local authorities. I hope the noble Baroness understands that. The note that I have had this morning from London Councils—I repeat, I am one of its joint presidents—tells me that it is disappointed and frustrated that the DCLG consultation, as issued last week after much delay, is not the draft regulations. It had been led to expect that it was going to consult on the draft regulations, but it is only, ""draft proposals on the ballot and administration arrangements"," and, as such, is the policy relating to the regulations rather than the regulations themselves. The note goes on to say that while the document is welcome, it still is not a substitute for seeing the detail of the regulations. The noble Baroness said that we shall not receive the full regulations until October; did she say that?