moved Amendment No. 5:"Page 1, line 12, leave out subsection (4)." The noble Lord said: This amendment removes subsection (4) from the Bill which removes the requirement for subsequent revaluation in England on the 10th anniversary of the previous one. It does, however, retain such a provision for billing authorities in Wales, thereby separating...

moved Amendment No. 5:"Page 1, line 12, leave out subsection (4)." The noble Lord said: This amendment removes subsection (4) from the Bill which removes the requirement for subsequent revaluation in England on the 10th anniversary of the previous one. It does, however, retain such a provision for billing authorities in Wales, thereby separating...

I would like to thank the noble Lord for that reply, but I do not feel that I can. He has concentrated on the second part of the amendment, which is to do with divergence, but nowhere in the amendment does it say that that would be the only criteria, and he has...

I would like to thank the noble Lord for that reply, but I do not feel that I can. He has concentrated on the second part of the amendment, which is to do with divergence, but nowhere in the amendment does it say that that would be the only criteria, and he has...

I particularly raised the question of Wales, but the noble Lord has not talked about that at all. I notice that today he has not repeated the often-used phrase ““revenue-neutral””. We are absolutely convinced that all the evidence shows that in Wales the system has not been revenue-neutral. I was trying to make...

I particularly raised the question of Wales, but the noble Lord has not talked about that at all. I notice that today he has not repeated the often-used phrase ““revenue-neutral””. We are absolutely convinced that all the evidence shows that in Wales the system has not been revenue-neutral. I was trying to make...

The principles behind our approach may well be the same, but I do not think we should see Wales as a precedent for revaluation in England. If I am teasing the noble Lord, it is because what I enjoy most is seeing some consistency in Conservative Party thinking. The reasons for the Government...

The principles behind our approach may well be the same, but I do not think we should see Wales as a precedent for revaluation in England. If I am teasing the noble Lord, it is because what I enjoy most is seeing some consistency in Conservative Party thinking. The reasons for the Government...

The amendment leaves me more confused about the Opposition’s real intentions with regard to revaluation and the need for it or not. As we highlighted in our response to Amendment No. 3, on the one hand we are told that they have changed their mind about their policy and no longer...

The amendment leaves me more confused about the Opposition’s real intentions with regard to revaluation and the need for it or not. As we highlighted in our response to Amendment No. 3, on the one hand we are told that they have changed their mind about their policy and no longer...

But consultation is taking place and what I call the Miliband review on the future of local government.

But consultation is taking place and what I call the Miliband review on the future of local government.

I do not know whether I thank the Minister for his answer as I do not think he responded to my points fully. I do not usually get involved with many Welsh debates; we have other colleagues who normally do that for us. We were trying to get equal treatment for England and Wales...

I do not know whether I thank the Minister for his answer as I do not think he responded to my points fully. I do not usually get involved with many Welsh debates; we have other colleagues who normally do that for us. We were trying to get equal treatment for England and Wales...

I will try to reassure noble Lords opposite. The general point was made by the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, that there needs to be an opportunity for this House to debate anything that comes forward and follows from any of the current debates—they are generally not reviews. As I said in the House,...

I will try to reassure noble Lords opposite. The general point was made by the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, that there needs to be an opportunity for this House to debate anything that comes forward and follows from any of the current debates—they are generally not reviews. As I said in the House,...

It is important that I make myself clear. Because of the timetable of revaluation—the way in which dates are set and brought forward—it was important to ensure that it was stopped at the point at which we would not only be saving money but also introducing clarity and certainty into the...

It is important that I make myself clear. Because of the timetable of revaluation—the way in which dates are set and brought forward—it was important to ensure that it was stopped at the point at which we would not only be saving money but also introducing clarity and certainty into the...

We think it very unlikely that there will be a revaluation in the lifetime of this Parliament. A specific question raised on the back of the amendment was why the Secretary of State has this power. The options for the Secretary of State having this power are limited, if not...

We think it very unlikely that there will be a revaluation in the lifetime of this Parliament. A specific question raised on the back of the amendment was why the Secretary of State has this power. The options for the Secretary of State having this power are limited, if not...

Much of what I wish to say on my amendment could also be said under this one, but I shall not say it now. I have a great deal of sympathy with the points raised by the noble Lord, Lord Hanningfield. Can the Minister explain how it is foreseen that the Valuation Office Agency...

Much of what I wish to say on my amendment could also be said under this one, but I shall not say it now. I have a great deal of sympathy with the points raised by the noble Lord, Lord Hanningfield. Can the Minister explain how it is foreseen that the Valuation Office Agency...

In addition to the Sir Michael Lyons review.

In addition to the Sir Michael Lyons review.

I had a letter from David Miliband yesterday asking me to be part of the discussions about the future structure of local government.

I had a letter from David Miliband yesterday asking me to be part of the discussions about the future structure of local government.

It was an extremely useful exercise for us to work through both the original amendment and this one, so nothing has been lost. It is useful to put on the record the nature of the debate, even though we are constrained by the Short Title.

It was an extremely useful exercise for us to work through both the original amendment and this one, so nothing has been lost. It is useful to put on the record the nature of the debate, even though we are constrained by the Short Title.

moved Amendment No. *3A:"Page 1, line 6, leave out from ““compiled”” to end of line 8 and insert ““on a date previous to the making of any order under section 5(4) and (4A) of this Act.””””" The noble Baroness said: I think that we all accept that this is an important piece of legislation, but...

moved Amendment No. *3A:"Page 1, line 6, leave out from ““compiled”” to end of line 8 and insert ““on a date previous to the making of any order under section 5(4) and (4A) of this Act.””””" The noble Baroness said: I think that we all accept that this is an important piece of legislation, but...

I recognise the experience that my noble friend brings to this debate and the reality of what he has described. I cannot comment on the possibility of an annual review. It may be one of the options to emerge in the debate. However, it would be a huge burden for the Valuation...

I recognise the experience that my noble friend brings to this debate and the reality of what he has described. I cannot comment on the possibility of an annual review. It may be one of the options to emerge in the debate. However, it would be a huge burden for the Valuation...

Large numbers of people are engaged in a debate throughout local government at the moment, not least the Local Government Association.

Large numbers of people are engaged in a debate throughout local government at the moment, not least the Local Government Association.

moved Amendment No. 6:"Page 1, line 17, at end insert—" ““(   )   In subsection (11), for ““the House of Commons”” substitute ““each House””.”” The noble Lord said: Amendment No. 6 would compel the future orders made by the Secretary of State under Section 22B to be subject to affirmative resolution by both Houses of Parliament. As the Bill...

moved Amendment No. 6:"Page 1, line 17, at end insert—" ““(   )   In subsection (11), for ““the House of Commons”” substitute ““each House””.”” The noble Lord said: Amendment No. 6 would compel the future orders made by the Secretary of State under Section 22B to be subject to affirmative resolution by both Houses of Parliament. As the Bill...

I do not know whether I am having a dense moment, but I am finding this difficult to understand. It seems that we are in a position where a decision was made that we would have revaluation, and a decision has subsequently been made that we will not have revaluation. Not revaluing would...

I do not know whether I am having a dense moment, but I am finding this difficult to understand. It seems that we are in a position where a decision was made that we would have revaluation, and a decision has subsequently been made that we will not have revaluation. Not revaluing would...

Could the Minister answer a hypothetical question? The reason for postponing the revaluation is the Sir Michael Lyons interim report, and Sir Michael Lyons has now been charged with coming to other decisions. We know, and it is clear, that there are other reviews relating to local government. So if...

Could the Minister answer a hypothetical question? The reason for postponing the revaluation is the Sir Michael Lyons interim report, and Sir Michael Lyons has now been charged with coming to other decisions. We know, and it is clear, that there are other reviews relating to local government. So if...