To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what arrangements are in place for (a) collection and (b) enforcement of business rates levied on ports. (246009)

It is the task of the local billing authority to bill for rates, collect rates, and enforce payment in accordance with the relevant regulations.

I have announced that we are amending the regulations on collection and enforcement to allow back-dated rate charges to be paid over a number of years in certain circumstances, rather than being due when the bill is issued as at present.