HC Deb 17 June 1991 vol 193 cc10-1W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the Statutory Instruments on local government finance he intends to publish prior to the summer adjournment; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

The Department will be laying before Parliament the following statutory instruments before the summer adjournmentThe Non-Domestic Rating (Transitional Period) (Further provision) Regulations

These will make amendments to the transitional arrangements for non-domestic rating in respect of statutory changes of occupier. The Non-Domestic Rating (Payment of Interest) (Amendment) Regulations

These will amend the rules governing the payment of interest in respect of overpayments arising as a result of alterations to the non-domestic rating list. Repeals and Consequential Amendments Order

This will make a number of repeals and amendments to previous Acts, especially the Local Government Act 1972.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will place copies in the Library of the responses he has received on his consultation paper on local government finance; and if he will list in theOfficial Report all those organisations which have expressed opposition to his proposal for seven property bands.

Mr. Portillo

It is the Department's policy to place in the Library a list of all those who have responded to consultation. Copies of the responses themselves are normally deposited in the Department's library, and made available for inspection. We are currently studying the representations which have been received.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement before the summer adjournment on the results of his consultation exercise on local government finance.

Mr. Portillo

We are currently studying the representations which have been received. The next steps will be made clear in due course.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he plans to make an announcement on his proposed outline financial settlement for local authorities for 1992–93.

Mr. Portillo

When he is ready to do so.

Mr. Viggers

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice he offers to local authorities on the legal processes necessary to enforce the payment of community charges.

Mr. Key

The Local Government Finance Act 1988 widened the methods available to local authorities, compared with domestic rates, to recover community charges if a chargepayer does not respond to a reminder, summons or the issue of a liability order. Authorities may now attach the chargepayer's earnings, obtain deductions from income support or distrain and sell goods. Authorities can also, of course, come to an arrangement with the chargepayer for paying off his debt. If these methods fail to produce payment of the debt, an authority can apply for a warrant for committal to prison. If the court decides that a chargepayer's failure to pay was due to wilful refusal or culpable neglect it can impose a prison sentence of up to three months. My Department has issued a practice note and a series of letters which give guidance on all aspects of the operation of the community charge enforcement system.