Non-Domestic Rating (Chargeable Amounts) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2006

I am very grateful for the support of both noble Baronesses. I am sorry that the Explanatory Memorandum is a rather surreal read. On the question of multiplying zero by zero, after a while one begins to wonder whether one can get something more than zero. On the point that the noble Baroness made about recouping the money from the local rating arrangement, the costs will of course fall on those authorities but they can be recouped from the pool as a whole. In relation to the whole of the distributable amount, which runs to £17.5 billion, we are talking about a small sum, even though it is identified as some £3 million. That in itself is often an unpredictable amount because there are ebbs and flows. I will write about the process that we will follow to ensure that those authorities are not out of pocket. I have a very able team of experts behind me who will help to do that. I should like to thank noble Lords very much. On Question, Motion agreed to.