To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what timetable she has set for the introduction of regulations under the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to allow the deferral of payments for 2009-10 increases in business rate bills. (277017)

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government (1) when she expects to bring forward legislative proposals for the implementation of the business rates deferral scheme; and if she will make a statement; (277467)

I expect the regulations implementing the business rate deferral scheme to come into force by the end of July.

Business ratepayers will be able to apply for deferral with local billing authorities from the point at which the regulations come into force.