§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service men and women have become liable for the community charge in Scotland since April; how many of these are also ratepayers in other parts of the United Kingdom; what representations he has received on this point; whether he proposes to indemnify them against additional costs; and what advice he is giving as to whether to register for the community charge in England and Wales.
§ Mr. NeubertNo comprehensive information on numbers of service personnel liable for the community charge is held either by service authorities or the Ministry of Defence. Seventeen letters have been received from hon. Members, service personnel or their families about concurrent liability for community charge in Scotland and rates in England and Wales. As I said in my answer to the hon. Member for East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 5 May 1989 at column278, we are prepared to consider, for possible exceptional financial compensation, cases where the requirements of the service place personnel in a worse position this year than they would be in next year when the community charge applies throughout Great Britain. Copies of guidance given to members of the Armed Forces about liability for the community charge have already been placed in the Library of the House.