HC Deb 17 August 1991 vol 195 cc350-1
15. Mr. Eadie

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what projections he has done of the estimated loss of revenue local authorities will suffer by uncollected poll tax; and if he will list his estimates for each regional council in Scotland.

Mr. Allan Stewart

My right hon. Friend has made no estimates of the income which local authorities will lose through non-collection of the community charge. Charge collection is the responsibility of local authorities who have a wide range of recovery measures at their disposal.

Mr. Eadie

The Government should make estimates of what is happening. The Minister must be aware that the Scottish Office is responsible for the absolute shambles of the poll tax in Scotland. More than 40 per cent. of the people who should pay it are not paying it and, despite what the Minister said, that will not change. Is not he aware that Scottish local government is reaching a crisis and that very soon councils might not be able to discharge their statutory obligations?

Mr. Stewart

That is simply not the case. Local authorities have a statutory duty to collect outstanding charges. A wide range of powers are available to them. Again, I ask the hon. Gentleman and the House why some authorities, such as Grampian, Fife and Central, have collected well over 90 per cent. of budget income for 1989–90 and more than 85 per cent. for 1990–91. The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and the Scottish Office will jointly monitor the collection position in coming months.