§ 7B.—(1) In section 48(5) of the principal Act for the word "movable" there shall be substituted the words "two or more moveable" and in paragraph 3 of Schedule 13 to that Act before the word "moveable" there shall be inserted the words "two or more".
§ (2) This paragraph shall be deemed always to have had effect."
§ Sir George YoungI beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.
It is a new provision that clarifies the existing legislation relating to the provision of domestic rate relief for caravans and houseboats, which is contained in schedule 13 to the General Rate Act 1967. A recent court case has cast some doubt on whether a single moveable dwelling is eligible for this relief under schedule 13.
It has always been intended that such dwellings should be eligible for domestic rate relief. The amendment will ensure that single caravans and houseboats continue to get the relief. I hope that the House will agree that it is desirable to clarify the law in this respect.
§ Question put and agreed to. [Special Entry.]
§
Lords amendment: No. 24, in page 17, line 16, at beginning insert—
(1) In section 50(1) of the principal Act for the words from "(not being a tenant" to "through the owner" there shall be substituted the words "is liable to pay any rates in respect of a hereditament"; and for the words "any rates", in both places where they occur, there shall be substituted the words "the rates".
§ Sir George YoungI beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.
Mr. Deputy SpeakerWith this it will be convenient to take Lords amendment No. 25.
The amendment is a technical one that ensures that all ratepayers are entitled to pay their rates in monthly instalments. As previously granted, schedule 1 would have extended that right only to occupiers who pay rates. However, there are also owners who pay rates, such as the owners of unoccupied property, or landlords who have undertaken to pay rates on behalf of their tenants. It is only right that such ratepayers should be able to pay by instalment. I hope that the House will agree that that is desirable.
§ Question put and agreed to. [Special Entry.]
§ Lords amendment No. 25 agreed to. [Special Entry.]
§
Lords amendment: No. 26, in page 21, line 5, leave out from "list" to end of line 11 and insert—
(c) minutes of the proceedings of any local valuation court with respect to the valuation list currently in force in a rating area or, subject to subsection (3) of this section, the immediately preceding valuation list; and
(d) minutes of the proceedings of any rating authority during the preceding ten years or, where the valuation list currently in force in the rating area of an authority was transmitted to it under section 68(2) of this Act before the commencement of that period, during the period since the list was transmitted to the authority.
§ Sir George YoungI beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.
§ Sir George YoungThis is another technical amendment which ensures that the provisions which restrict right of access to certain old—and inessential rating records—do not restrict access to records to which ratepayers and valuation officers might reasonably 869 need to have access, nor restrict in any way the persons who are entitled to such access. I hope that the House will agree to the amendment.
§ Question put and agreed to.
§ Lords amendment No. 27 agreed to.
§ Lords amendment: No. 28, in page 22, line 46, at end insert—