HC Deb 07 February 1992 vol 203 cc303-4W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if people exempt from paying the community charge in the category "severely mentally impaired" will have to reapply for this status under the council tax.

Mr. Key

People who are severely mentally impaired will be eligible for discounts under the council tax. Local authorities will be required to take reasonable steps to ascertain whether discounts apply. Where such a person has been exempt from the personal community charge, a local authority should not need any further evidence that he is severely mentally impaired.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to bring forward regulations defining the conditions necessary to qualify as severely mentally impaired under the Local Government Finance Bill.

Mr. Key

The local authority associations are currently being consulted about draft regulations. Copies of the draft were placed in the Library pursuant to a question on 31 January(column 642). Regulations will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible after the Bill receives Royal Assent.