To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what meetings her Department has had with business rates software providers to local authorities to discuss the system requirements and costs in relation to implementation of the business rates deferral scheme announced on 31 March 2009; and if she will make a statement. (278083)

Communities and Local Government officials have held informal discussions with business rate software providers, convened by the Institute of Revenues Rating and Valuation, to discuss implementation of the scheme.

Software providers have also been provided with the information we have shared with all English billing authorities via two business rates information letters sent out on 31 March and 12 May. These letters are available publicly at:

http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/busratsl.htm