As a matter of principle the House should be wary of legislation that begins with an algebraic formula, although that may be a throwback to my wrestlings with algebra when I was at school. The Bill actually begins with two formulae; in fact, the whole of the first clause is effectively two algebraic formulae. The hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander) rightly observed that legislation has to be rural-proofed, but I am beginning to think that it should be mathematics-proofed, or algebra-proofed, too. I am tempted to read out the whole of the first clause for the edification of those who have not read it, but I will spare everybody that. It makes one wonder what lies behind the algebraic formula, and that brings us to the motives and to the point that I raised in an earlier intervention, which has already been addressed. I know that the Minister for Local Government is straining to say that there were other things that he could have cherry-picked, but it is significant that the Bill has been brought forward as it has been.
Rating (Empty Properties) Bill
Proceeding contribution from
Robert Neill
(Conservative)
in the House of Commons on Thursday, 7 June 2007.
It occurred during Debate on bills on Rating (Empty Properties) Bill.
Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
461 c461 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
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2023-12-15 11:39:31 +0000
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