"For my part, I too add my thanks to the Minister for his willingness to engage at all times. As he now knows, business rates is a rather niche area of activity for your Lordships. I started my professional career just over 50 years ago in the Inland Revenue Valuation …..." Earl of Lytton - View Speech
"My Lords, I had not originally intended to intervene on this amendment, but I cannot help but see a wider point of principle that is involved with Clause 5 of the Bill.
I should explain that rating law serves to exempt premises used by charities and occupied for their charitable …..." Earl of Lytton - View Speech
"My Lords, as this is the first time I have spoken at this stage of the Bill, I declare an interest as a chartered surveyor, a member of the Rating Surveyors’ Association, and a member of the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation. In fact, these are the three bodies …..." Earl of Lytton - View Speech
"My Lords, I am grateful to all noble Lords who have spoken to this group—and in particular my colleague on these Benches, my noble friend Lord Thurlow, for introducing his amendment.
I appreciate that the Minister has effectively gone as far as his brief permits, but I hope he realises …..." Earl of Lytton - View Speech
"My Lords, I welcome the report from Sir Martin Moore-Bick and the Government’s Statement, but there is a legacy issue from what was put in place by the previous Government in terms of support measures for a defined range of properties considered most at risk following the tragedy. In light …..." Earl of Lytton - View Speech
"My Lords, I support the amendment in the name of my noble friend Lord Thurlow, which relates specifically to Clauses 1 to 4. The business community was clearly expecting something rather different from what we have before us now, based on the Labour Party manifesto, so ably referred to by …..." Earl of Lytton - View Speech
"My Lords, I thank all noble Lords who have spoken to this group of amendments for the support, some of it qualified, for the amendments that I have put forward. I do not wish to labour the point, especially as the temperature in this Room seems to continue to …..." Earl of Lytton - View Speech
"My Lords, it may save time later if I rise to make a comment in the context of these amendments. I can quite see that there is an objection in principle to some of what is being put forward here, because of the Treasury need to predict the yield, if …..." Earl of Lytton - View Speech