§ 20. Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to abolish the poll tax.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe Government are at present conducting a careful and fundamental review of the community charge arrangements. At this stage we are not ruling particular options in or out.
§ 23. Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last met representatives of the Scottish university students and student nurses to discuss the poll tax and its effects on their activities.
§ Mr. Allan StewartMy right hon. Friend has received a number of representations about the community charge from and on behalf of students and student nurses.
§ 24. Mr. DouglasTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the current levels of poll tax payments in Scotland.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe information requested is not held centrally. I understand however that most levying authorities have already collected or expect to collect at least 95 per cent. of the budgeted revenue due to them from community charges in respect of 1989–90 and that their collection rates for 1990–91 are at present broadly in line with last year's pattern.
§ 31. Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the Government's consideration of alternative systems of local government finance.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe Government are at present conducting a careful and fundamental review of the community charge arrangements. We have not ruled particular options out or in.