Business Rate Supplements Bill

My Lords, the amendment provides for expenses incurred in preparation for the collection or recovery of a business rate. The words "collection or recovery", defined as "administrative expenses", are those that appear in the Bill. My concern, particularly on behalf of London boroughs, which will be in the forefront of billing for the new supplement, is whether their set-up costs will be covered. There may be IT costs, for instance. A great deal of expense is certain to be incurred. I am not looking to officer time that will be spent on the matter, although that will be a drain on resources as well. They will be incurring those costs on behalf of all billing authorities, which will profit from the work carried out if and when the BRS is levied outside London. I apologise for taking the House’s time, as this amendment has been tabled before. I am grateful to the usual channels for considering the matter and agreeing that it was not inappropriate to raise at Third Reading. I appreciate that there will be work on the regulations underpinning the provisions in the legislation. On Report, the noble Lord, Lord Davies of Oldham, repeated the Bill’s words, talking—according to Hansard—about building authorities rather than billing authorities. I seek certainty that the primary legislation does not preclude the regulations covering those set-up costs. I, too, should have welcomed the noble Lord to this position. With his background in local government he brings particular expertise, interest and sympathy. I hope that he can give me that assurance. That is the extent of what I am seeking through the amendment. I beg to move.