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It is essential the industry follows this through, and I welcome plans for wide dissemination of the code. My challenge to the industry is to ensure that the code is used in all lease negotiations.

The British Property Federation is introducing an accreditation scheme identifying landlords who are committed to the new code. This will include an independent complaints procedure. I hope the professional bodies will introduce similar arrangements for their members.

I recognise the considerable changes in commercial leasing practices over recent years, especially the trends towards shorter leases. But I am concerned about continuing elements of inflexibility, particularly the predominant use of upward-only provisions in rent review clauses and inflexible provisions for tenants exiting property they no longer need.

We will want to keep a close eye on market practice in these areas. If the market does not deliver, we have identified legislative options. The Department for Communities and Local Government will shortly be consulting the bodies that drew up the code about suitable monitoring arrangements.

Copies of the code for leasing business premises will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Revenue and Customs: Statutory Charging

The Attorney-General (Lord Goldsmith): I am today announcing that with effect from 3 April, the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO)

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will make charging decisions in all indictable-only, either-way or summary offences investigated by HM Revenue and Customs.

The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office was established in April 2005. Under Section 37(A)(l)(a) of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, as inserted by the Criminal Justice Act 2003 and as amended by the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005, the Director of Revenue and Customs Office is empowered to issue guidance on

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charging. A copy of the guidance has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

I welcome this development, which recognises the enormous progress made since the independent Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office was established. This move has also been welcomed by HM Revenue and Customs investigators, who have worked closely with RCPO in identifying issues to be covered in the guidance.

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