§ 37. Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate the sum of arrears of rates outstanding for three, six, and over 12 months, respectively; and what is the current annual cost of interest and other charges arising from such arrears.
§ Mr. Guy BarnettWe do not have the information on which to base such detailed estimates. The Audit Inspectorate has advised me that arrears in England and Wales in March 1975 stood at about £195 million, which is less than 5 per cent. of the total rate call of £4,288 million. Comparable information for later years is not yet available. We have no information about any interest and other charges arising from arrears.