§ 73. Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were his estimates in June 1987 and in December 1987 of the total number of people who will be exempt from paying the poll tax; and what is the latest equivalent estimate.
§ Mr. HowardIn June 1987 we estimated that about half a million people would be exempt from the community charge. We estimate that decisions taken since then will result in exemptions for about an additional 25,000 people.
§ 84. Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning exemption from the community charge of full-time residential community volunteer carers, including community service volunteers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardThe Government have received a number of such representations, which are currently under consideration.
§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received concerning his proposals, announced on 17 November 1987 and 25 April to require 10 London boroughs to operate residual domestic rating for four years in addition to the community charge after 25 April.
§ Mr. Howard[holding answer 20 June 1988]: I have received representations from the London Boroughs Association, the Association of London Authorities, the City of London and from members and officers of a number of the boroughs affected.
§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on what date the Price Waterhouse report on administering the community charge was received; when he proposes to publish the report; what arrangements will be made for disseminating its findings; and if he will publish the cost of commissioning the report.
§ Mr. RidleyThe date on which both volumes of the final report were available was 16 June. I shall make both volumes available shortly and will distribute volume 2 of the report widely to local authorities as soon as this has been discussed with the local authority associations. The report is expected to cost £60,000.
§ Dr. CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if mature students paying the 20 per cent. 617W community charge with a non-student spouse, will be jointly and severally liable for their spouse's community charge at a rate of 100 per cent.
§ Mr. RidleyAll married and unmarried couples will be jointly and severally liable for the full amount of each other's community charge during the period that they live together.