§ 15. . Mrs. Anne CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the position of students in relation to payment of the council tax.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment (Mr. Robin Squire)Most students will pay no council tax at all. Students halls of residence will be exempt, as will dwellings occupied exclusively by students. A student who lives with non-students will not be counted towards the personal element of the tax. That means that he will not add to the household's bill. For instance, where a student lives with one parent, the dwelling will be treated as having only one resident and a 25 per cent. discount will apply.
§ Mrs. CampbellIs the Minister—[Interruption]
§ Madam SpeakerOrder. The hon. Lady can hardly be heard. I should be grateful for order in all parts of the House.
§ Mrs. CampbellIs the Minister aware of the position of some students in my constituency who share houses in multiple occupation? If one person ceases to be a student, the household will be liable for the full council tax, less the 25 per cent. rebate. If two people cease to be students, the household will be liable for the full council tax. Does the Minister think that that is fair?
§ Mr. SquireThe short answer is yes. I am genuinely surprised that the hon. Lady, who represents one of our great university cities, has not welcomed the fact that the overwhelming majority of students will not be paying tax in future years. The only way to remove the position that she has highlighted would be to extend exemption for council tax to those who were either in employment or eligible to claim benefit. The Government believe that that would be quite wrong.