Council Tax (New Valuation Lists for England) Bill

The hon. Gentleman must listen and be patient. As the right hon. Member for Skipton and Ripon will know, because he has read the Bill, it proposes that the powers for legislation for revaluation be given to the Secretary of State with the proviso that the House, through affirmative resolution, has the opportunity to debate the matter. Rightly so. That should give him the commitment that he is looking for, but the strategy outlined by the Government and in the comments made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Communities and Local Government ensures that there is the opportunity to review local government’s role and functions. Taking on board the important new work that has been done specifically under local area agreements, the three-year local government finance settlement and the certainty and stability needed for all involved requires a serious review of the local government’s role and functions. That review is being undertaken on our behalf by Sir Michael Lyons, and I am sure that many hon. Members on both sides of the House have and will contribute to that important debate. [Interruption.]