§ Lord O'Haganasked Her Majesty's Government:
To what extent Members of the House of Commons are exempt from the community charge; and whether this exemption extends to British Members of the European Parliament.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Hesketh)Membership of the House of Commons or of the European Parliament confers no exemption from liability to pay community charges. Most people will pay a personal charge to the local authority in whose area they have their sole or main residence. A few may pay in addition a standard charge to the authority in whose area they have any second home. Those whose main home is outside Britain will not have a liability to the personal charge but may still be required to pay a standard charge if they have retained a second home in this country.