§ 2.41 p.m.
§ Lord MAYBRAY-KINGMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce amending legislation to ease the heavy rate burden now borne by gift shops organised for charities by voluntary workers.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE, DEPART-MENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Baroness Birk)My Lords, it is the Government's firm intention to end this anomaly and the necessary legislation will be introduced at the earliest possible opportunity.
§ Lord MAYBRAY-KINGMy Lords, is the noble Baroness aware that what she has said is great news for thousands of voluntary workers in the gift shops of this country? Will she do what she can to persuade her Government to speed up the introduction of this very necessary reform, because the existing situation has meant that many men and women have been working not for the charity they wanted to support but for the rates?
§ Baroness BIRKMy Lords, with a little legislative luck the Government hope to introduce this legislation this Session.
§ Lord BYERSMy Lords, can this legislation be included in the Finance Bill, or is there any reason against that?
§ Baroness BIRKMy Lords, I understand that the legislation will be by way of amending legislation to the General Rate Act 1967.
§ Lord SANDYSMy Lords, while I recognise that this legislation will give much satisfaction, is the noble Baroness aware that it would give even more satisfaction were it to some extent retrospective?
§ Baroness BIRKMy Lords, the question of when it will start—it could not be retrospective before this rate year—will have to be discussed on the Bill. I would remind the noble Lord that many harsh things are said about retrospection, both here and in another place.