Ways and Means

I shall move swiftly on, Mr. Deputy Speaker, as both you and the Whips are looking at me very sternly. I have answered the point made by the hon. Gentleman about increased numbers of the homeless in bed-and-breakfast accommodation and the resolution. Other hon. Members asked whether the measure would result in companies deliberately vandalising properties or removing roofs, as happened in the past. It is proposed that we consult on measures to prevent that from happening. Generally, we take the view that that is not a likely consequence because the economic circumstances are so different from those of the 1970s. However, it is an issue that we need to address. We have, of course, consulted organisations, as I have said. The hon. Member for Salisbury made three strong points. I wish that he would make those points to the supporters of the sustainable communities Bill. I agree with their objectives, but they seem to think that simply passing a resolution would save Manor farm, the pub and Dean Hill in his constituency. Clearly, those are matters that we will have to look at. The hon. Gentleman also talked about planning policies that obstructed success. All constituency MPs are familiar with that, and there are empty pubs in the urban areas of my constituency as a result of planning problems. The proposals that the Government are bringing forward today must be seen in conjunction with our planning proposals, but I point out that the small business rate relief scheme applies to such businesses when they are active. The hon. Gentleman made a well researched speech, and we will reply to the specific questions that he raised. The same is true for the hon. Member for St. Albans, whose speech contained four broad points. The third and fourth concerned deliberate vandalisation and the Valuation Office Agency, and I have answered those, but she also referred to Tesco. It amuses me that the Opposition have discovered that company to be public enemy No. 1, as I should have thought that the party of the free market would support successful companies such as Tesco. Curiously, the hon. Member for St. Albans also said that the local development framework had been overridden. If that is the case, I should like to help her.