Business Rates

As John Cleese remarks in "Clockwise",""I can take the despair. It's the hope I can't stand."" The Government keep on holding out a tantalising fraction of hope. I must tell the Minister that if she is looking for an excuse not to act, that is a pretty pathetic one. There are some very good and compelling reasons for taking action and there are perfectly practical solutions to all the objections raised by the Treasury. I urge the Minister to be utterly robust in her discussions with the Treasury. The time has come for this measure, and her Department—both her Departments—know it. She should not be cluttering us up with excuses, but looking for solutions.