§ 20. Mr. McAllionTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the review of the operation of the poll tax in Scotland to be completed.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe timetable for the review of the community charge is under consideration.
§ Mr. McAllionDid the Minister read the report in Monday's Financial Times, which said that the Government's own civil servants favour a return to the old rating system, with a staged transfer of education from local to central Government? Is that report accurate and, if so, will the Minister support its application in Scotland?
§ Mr. StewartI do not comment on newspaper reports —[Interruption.]—necessarily. However, I can tell the hon. Gentleman that the hon. Member for Eastwood well remembers rating revaluation in Scotland.
§ Mr. Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow)On a point of order, Mr. Speaker—
§ Mr. SpeakerLater.
§ Mr. DalyellIt arises out of questions.
§ Mr. SpeakerThat may be so, but I will take points of order arising out of questions, or any other points of order, after the statement.