To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance has been issued to bingo operators on whether the prohibition of smoking in public places represents a material change of circumstance for the purposes of the calculation of business rates levied on bingo halls. (284286)

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) held discussions with the professional advisers to the bingo industry prior to the introduction of the ban on smoking in public places in April 2007 (in Wales) and July 2007 (in England).

Once the ban had been agreed as a material change of circumstance, the VOA notified the Bingo Association in writing on 27 November 2008 that the rating assessments for all the bingo halls in England and Wales would be reviewed following the introduction of the ban.