§ Mr. ChannonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he proposes to issue a further circular to charging authorities clarifying the statutory extent of their discretion in seeking the payment of community charge by military personnel serving in the Gulf; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HeseltineI refer my right hon. Friend to my statement to the House on Tuesday 19 February, in which280W I announced that it was the Government's intention that no service personnel or associated civilians posted to the Gulf should have to pay the community charge for the duration of their posting. When the judgment in the Anderton case is received, we shall be considering ways of ensuring that this objective can be achieved and I shall present details to the House as soon as I can.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost per chargepayer of collecting the community charge in respect of each collecting council in Kent.
§ Mr. KeyThe information requested is as follows:
Community charge collection costs per head of relevant population Budget estimates 1990–91 £ Ashford 9.64 Canterbury 10.48 Dartford 10.77 Dover 10.61 Gillingham 7.66 Gravesham 9.44 Maidstone 9.20 Rochester on Medway 7.10 Sevenoaks 6.44 Shepway 14.92 Swale 9.64 Thanet 10.62 Tonbridge and Mailing 9.67 Tunbridge Wells 6.95