HC Deb 29 July 1988 vol 138 cc686-7W
Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the latest estimated average poll tax bill per person for 1988–89 and 1989–90 for(a) Aberdeen, (b) Dundee, (c) Glasgow, (d) Edinburgh, (e) Stirling and (f) Scotland as a whole.

Mr. Lang

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Dundee, West (Mr. Ross) on 29 July 1988.

Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when, pursuant to his answer of 7 July,Official Report, column 676, he expects to issue guidance on the procedures involved in determining which individuals are severely handicapped, and thus exempt from liability to pay the poll tax.

Mr. Lang

My right hon. and learned Friend expects to issue guidance to the medical profession on the issue of certificates in respect of the severely mentally impaired for community charge purposes as soon as possible after the relevant Scottish provisions of the Local Government Finance Act come into force in August.

Mr. Ernie Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the estimated average community charge per individual for(a) 1988–89 and (b) 1989–90 for (i) Scotland, (ii) Aberdeen, (iii) Dundee, (iv) Edinburgh, (v) Glasgow and (vi) Stirling.

Mr. Lang

My reply of 22 March to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Doran) at column72, gave estimates of the levels of personal community charge required to replace domestic rate income in each regional, islands and district council area in Scotland in 1988–89. The levels of personal community charge for 1989–90 are a matter for local authorities.

Mr. Allan Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he proposes to take to implement the amendments to the Abolition of Domestic Rates, etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 which are being made in the Local Government Finance Act.

Mr. Lang

The Bill has now received Royal Assent, and a commencement order will shortly be made in respect of the provisions relating to Scotland. The necessary regulations will be made thereafter, on a timetable which has regard to the existing timetable for the introduction of the community charge in Scotland, and in particular to the fact that community charges registers will come into force on 1 October. The regulations will be the subject of appropriate consultation.

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