Rating (Empty Properties) Bill

I can certainly present the amendment in a less specific way. It has been tabled in extremely fine detail; every punctuation mark is important for Her Majesty’s Opposition. The amendment covers several aspects. The Opposition want certain important conditions to appear on the face of the Bill to ensure good, decent legislation. The first of those conditions is proposed new subsection (1A)(a), which refers to the condition that"““the whole hereditament has, subject to subsection (1B), been unoccupied for a continuous period not exceeding three months””." That is an important aspect—that is what applies at present, but it is not on the face of the Bill. We therefore have concerns, because consultation has not taken place.