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Lords amendment: No. 29, in page 28, line 4, at end insert—
(7) The power to prescribe sums conferred by this section includes power to prescribe larger sums in relation to hereditaments in Greater London than in relation to hereditaments elsewhere.
§ Mr. FoxI beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.
The purpose of clause 27 is to extend to the occupiers of certain non-domestic property the right to elect to pay rates by instalments—a right that is currently enjoyed only by the occupiers of dwelling-houses. The right will be limited to property with a rateable value between the 284 minimum and maximum limits specified by order.
The amendment makes the necessary provision for any order to be able to prescribe higher limits for property in Greater London than elsewhere. This is desirable because evidence shows the average non-domestic rateable value in Greater London in 1979 to be more than double that outside approximately £1,757 compared with £827. I therefore submit that the amendment is necessary.
§ Question put and agreed to.
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Lords amendment: No. 30, in page 33, leave out lines 6 to 21 and insert—
(2A) The owner of a relevant hereditament shall not be exempt from being rated under this Schedule in respect of that hereditament on the ground that the provisions of section 32. 33 or 34 of this Act would exempt the hereditament from being liable to be rated or to be included in any valuation list or in any rate, unless it appears that the relevant provisions will so exempt it when it is next occupied.
§ Mr. FoxI beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.
In the Bill as previously drafted, subparagraphs (ii)(a) and (ii)(b) of clause 27(4) were intended to close a small loophole in the present statutory provisions on empty property rating whereby unoccupied electricity and gas showrooms are able to avoid paying empty property rates. The loophole came to light in a court case concerning Tower Hamlets London borough council, and it was thought that the clause would close it.
The amendment now goes further, in that it covers all empty electricity and gas board premises—showrooms, offices and dwellings—which, when occupied, are subject to normal rating provisions. It also applies to the premises of British Rail, London Transport and British Waterways. It removes any doubt that, when unoccupied, such premises should be liable to empty property rating in the same way as premises owned by any other person or organisation. This is a minor amendment but one that clarifies the purpose behind the original legislation, and I ask the House to agree with it.
§ Question put and agreed to.