HC Deb 02 May 1991 vol 190 cc269-70W
Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is his estimate of the total cost to date of the publication and distribution of poll tax registration forms;

(2) what is his estimate of the total cost of printing and distributing poll tax reminder forms;

(3) what is his estimate of the staffing costs of poll tax registration officers;

(4) what is his estimate of the cost of computer equipment for the administration of poll tax registers.

Mr. Portillo

The Department does not have this information. The Government provided a total of £117.5 million in the 1988–89 and 1989–90 rate support grant settlements in England for community charge preparation costs, including £55 million by way of specific grant. In addition, allocations amounting to a total of £170.3 million were made for capital expenditure in 1988–89 and 1989–90. The cost of collecting the charge was allowed for in the revenue support grant for 1990–91 and will continue to be supported in 1991–92.

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the total cost of (i) producing and (ii) distributing the booklet sent to all households describing the working of the community charge.

Mr. Portillo

The costs of producing the leaflet "The Community Charge (the so-called poll tax): How it will work for you" which was distributed to every household in England during May 1989 were approximately £370,000. The distribution costs were approximately £600,000.

Mr. Gordon Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost to date of the printing and issuing of poll tax collection books; and what was the cost of reissuing new poll tax collection notices and books following the Budget changes in poll tax levels.

Mr. Portillo

Information on the cost of printing and issuing community charge collection books is not

Mr. Key

The table supplies the information.

available. Information on the cost of re-billing following the Community Charges (General Reduction) Act is not yet available, but the Government have undertaken to meet the reasonable additional costs which local authorities incur.