Rating (Empty Properties) Bill

My Lords, if I continue the argument I might provoke the noble Earl into recalling what he wanted to challenge me on. I would be very loath to miss a challenge because I had not seen that he had risen to his feet. I apologise to him for that. The noble Lord, Lord Newby, should also recognise that we are concerned to change the planning position. We have publicised a planning paper which streamlines and simplifies the planning system. Again, I recognise that there are criticisms of the planning paper which have been well articulated. However, when the noble Lord says that part of this issue ought to be addressed by a fresh look at planning, that is exactly what the Government think and why we have put the planning paper into the public domain. He will surely again recognise the Government’s virtues in this area. The noble Lord also said that he thought the Bill would make regeneration in areas of low demand more difficult. Sir Peter Hall, the professor of planning and regeneration, said that he thought the Bill would help to revitalise town centres—I mentioned that in my opening contribution—and that it would bring forward opportunities for development of urban brownfield land, and the non-business premises renovation allowance is providing extra support to owners of empty properties in deprived areas. We are concerned. The noble Lord is right to raise the issue, but I had sought to assuage his anxieties on that account in my opening contribution, when I indicated that I had support for the fact that the Bill will also bring benefit to areas that he rightly identified deserve proper and special consideration. The noble Baroness, Lady Noakes, also emphasised that certain aspects in regard to property are difficult for the farming community. I understand the point she makes. Of course, we are concerned to make special provisions in regard to difficulties experienced by farmers. She will recognise that in a Bill of this kind, the broad, general terms and the principles need to be established. Rural land, agricultural land and property provide no great difference from the urban scene. If we suggested for one moment that farmers have particular difficulties in reletting property, the noble Lord, Lord Newby, would be the first to say that that is as nothing compared with areas of inner-city decline where properties can be quite difficult to let. The Government need principles that obtain across the board. Within the framework of secondary legislation, we shall address ourselves to certain aspects of these matters.