§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Envionment if he will commission research on the relative voting turn-out at local government elections of those (a) in receipt of rate rebates or housing benefits and (b) those not in receipt of such benefit.
§ Mr. HowardI have no plans to commission such research.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has on the nature of the existing link between those who (a) vote in local elections, (b) use local services, and (c) pay for local services.
§ Mr. HowardOn our latest estimates there are 35.8 million electors in England, all of whom benefit from the availability of local services. Of those, just over a third pay rates directly and in full. A further 3 million pay a proportion of rates. In some areas only one voter in four pays rates directly and in full. Our proposals to reform the system of local government finance will restore the link between those who vote in local elections, those who use local services and those who pay for those services.