Business Rates

I fully intend to do so. However, we must debate the Conservative motion and the alternative presented by the Opposition. [Hon. Members: "The Government."] I mean the Government. We have been debating the motion for about an hour or so, and I have been speaking for four minutes. I think the hon. Gentleman should give me a chance to get my points across. What we did hear from Conservative Members was the new thinking about flexibility for councillors to reduce business rates, and to allow areas to benefit from economic growth. That is similar to the approach that the Conservatives have taken to council tax. It is clear that very few of the Conservative-run councils that have come forward would benefit from their council tax freeze proposal. The fact is that, at a time of huge economic pressures, every council will find it incredibly difficult to deliver. If the Conservatives had real confidence in local authorities, they would give them the discretion to consult their businesses, and I am sure that, in some areas there would be a possibility of the improvements that businesses want.