§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to be in a position to provide a definition of permanency of residence in relation to the poll tax in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangA person's sole or main residence will generally be a matter of fact in relation to the circumstances of each case. The only exception relates to persons undertaking a full-time course of education who are to be regarded, under section 8(4) of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987, as being solely or mainly resident in the area of the local authority in which they are resident during term time for the purpose of undertaking the course. There is no question of my right hon. and learned Friend providing a definition of sole or main residence for community charge purposes.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his latest estimate of the cost to local authorities of new computers for implementing the poll tax.
§ Mr. LangThe information requested is not held centrally. Additional capital allocations of £15 million will, however, be made available to local authorities in respect of 1988–89 to meet expenditure incurred in implementing the community charge. This is on top of the additional £6 million capital expenditure consent already allocated in 1987–88.
§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest estimate of additional staff required by Scottish local authorities to implement the poll tax.
§ Mr. LangThe information requested is not held centrally. It is for individual local authorities to consider the manpower implications of the plans for their own areas.