HC Deb 28 June 1989 vol 155 cc484-5W
28. Ms. Mowlam

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the medical advice he has received on the exemption of severe dementia sufferers from the community charge.

Mr. Gummer

My right hon. Friend receives medical advice on these matters from the Department of Health.

Dr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if the leaflet, "The Community Charge (The So-Called Poll Tax): How It Will Work For You" delivered to all households in England has been reprinted with amendments.

Mr. Ridley

Neither amendments nor reprints have been necessary.

88. Mr. Grocott

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his latest estimate of the cost of implementing the poll tax.

Mr. Gummer

The Government have no plans to introduce a poll tax.

In advice that the Department commissioned from Price Waterhouse, the current cost of preparing for the community charge in 1989–90 was estimated to be between £99 million and £122 million, and the capital costs in 1989–90 was estimated to be between £125 million and £175 million. These estimates were at November 1987 prices.

81. Mr. Mahon

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any plans to issue further guidance to community charge registration officers on the questions being asked on community charge registration forms.

Mr. Gummer

Clear and explicit advice on these matters has already been issued to community charge registration officers, as well as a model community charge registration form. It is for registration officers to ensure that their requests for information comply with the statutory requirements.

58. Mr. McLoughlin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which three counties would on the current figures levy the highest community charge; and which party controls each of them.

Mr. Gummer

In the illustrative community charge figures published for 1988–89, the three shire counties with the highest over-spend per adult were Cleveland, Cumbria and Derbyshire, Cleveland and Derbyshire were Labour-controlled in April 1988, but no party had overall control in Cumbria.

47. Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has received so far regarding campaigns to encourage the non-payment of the community charge.

Mr. Gummer

The Government are aware of the actions of a number of bodies and individuals whose aim is to encourage people to evade their legal responsibilities in relation to the community charge. Such actions are irresponsible and undemocratic.