Non-Domestic Rating (Deferred Payments) (England) Regulations 2009

My Lords, the Minister has made an attempt at a defence, but it goes nowhere near the real defence that was needed regarding the jobs that are being lost and the businesses that are going out of business as we speak as a result of an own goal by the Government and an unbelievable level of intransigence. I would again leave ringing in the ears of Members opposite the words of Mr Johnson—the Home Secretary, and he who would be king—who wrote to the Secretary of State, saying: ""The VOA has committed an egregious error, failed in its duties and failed to obey the instructions given by Government"." Those are the words of the Home Secretary. We very much endorse and support them. I urge my colleagues to support this Motion of Regret. I wish to test the opinion of the House. Division on Lord Bates’s Motion. Contents 72; Not-Contents 66. Motion agreed.