Council Tax (New Valuation Lists for England) Bill

Absolutely. We have said that we will bring together our discussions on a wide-ranging set of issues about local government and its future in the form of a White Paper. As I said, we have not taken any decisions about structures. That White Paper will obviously be open to debate in this House as will anything that flows from that. If primary legislation is required, this House will be fully engaged. How could this House be excluded from the debate about anything that comes from the Lyons report involving restructuring? It has an important role to play, not least with the experience around this Table. Many noble Lords would seek the opportunity to make sure that the House was fully engaged in that process. However, this amendment is an attempt to apply the affirmative regulatory procedure to a very narrow part of the taxation-raising powers, albeit local taxation. For all the reasons that I have given, that is contrary to our constitutional position—the relationship and functions of the two Houses—and that has been confirmed by the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee. To that extent it does not forbid or bar any discussions on where we go with future structures, but it puts us in an anomalous position if this House seeks to extend its powers in relation to this narrow area of debate.