Council Tax (New Valuation Lists for England) Bill

I want to deal with the point made by my hon. Friend the Member for Wellingborough (Mr. Bone), which highlighted what many of us see as an omission or lacuna in the amendment, as it still leaves the discretion with the Secretary of State. The initiation of the valuation process must be a local decision, but the amendment does not allow that. It goes halfway, and then stops. Although my hon. Friend’s local people may be anxious for a revaluation in the cause of fairness—or not—they would have no say if the amendment were adopted. The local decision makers would not either, as the matter would rest with the Secretary of State. As so often happens with this Government’s legislation, the Secretary of State will decide everything. The Government pay lip service to local decision making but in the end, according to the Bill, matters will be"““specified by order made by the Secretary of State””." I shall explore that later.