§ Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what grounds the 50 per cent. relief of the general service charge in respect of properties not connected to public sewers has been confined to domestic ratepayers.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe scale of the problem made it impossible to grant relief to all unconnected properties this year.126W My right hon. Friend thought it right to give priority to the domestic ratepayer.
§ Mr. Stanleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance he has given to local authorities on the collection of the general services charge imposed by the water authorities from those not connected to main drainage in the light of the recent judgment in the High Court.
§ Mr. Denis HowellThe High Court ruling concerned only one part of the Collection of Charges Order. I understand that there is an appeal before the House of Lords. My Department has written to local authorities and water authorities suggesting that pending the outcome of the appeal they should continue as far as possible to work the arrangements laid out in the order, although district councils should not take court proceedings to recover arrears of general services charge from unsewered properties.