HC Deb 26 October 1966 vol 734 cc1246-7
Mr. Willey

I beg to move Amendment No. 48, in page 33, line 19, after "shall" to insert: subject to subsection (4) of this section)".

Mr. Deputy Speaker

With this Amendment we can take Amendment No. 50.

Mr. Willey

I think that is convenient, Mr. Deputy Speaker. This meets the case where, under the original scheme, a separate assessment is made in respect of every assessable interest in the land comprised within the project of material development. It enables the Commission to enter into an agreement with the developing, owner to treat two or more assessable interests as being merged immediately before the relevant date. They could then be treated as one and this could save a good deal of work. This is not to the prejudice of anyone, because it depends upon agreement.

Mr. Graham Page

We think that this is very satisfactory. I hope that particularly the last words of the Minister got into the OFFICIAL REPORT—that this depends upon agreement. There is no compulsion: this depends upon agreement between the development Commission and the developer.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In line 30, leave out from "such" to "as" in line 31 and insert "other provisions of the relevant Schedules".

In line 39, at end insert: (4) For the purpose of assessing levy in respect of two or more assessable interests by virtue of which a person is the developing owner in relation to the relevant project, the Commission and the developing owner may enter into an agreement whereby those interests shall be treated as if they had merged into one interest immediately before the relevant date, and the provisions of subsections (2) and (3) of this section and of the relevant Schedules shall apply subject to such modifications as the agreement may provide in that behalf.—[Mr. Willey.]