§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he is taking to reform procedure for appeals against entries in the community charge (poll tax) register; and what steps he will take to extend the role of the Scottish Committee of the Council on Tribunals to oversee the conduct of appeals to registration officers.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to change the present appeal arrangements. However, discussions are being held with the Scottish Committee of the Council on Tribunals and with Scottish community charges registration officers to establish whether it would be practicable and helpful for the Scottish committee to have a watching brief on the conduct of appeals to registration officers.
§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has any plans to change the procedures for appeal against the decision of community charge registration officers in Scotland along the lines of that to be introduced in England and Wales.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to do so.