§ Mr. Jacques ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes in the law he proposes to introduce to facilitate the consideration by magistrates courts of applications for liability orders in community charge proceedings.
§ Mr. HeseltineI have been asked to reply.
We intend to bring forward at the earliest opportunity amendments to the Local Government Finance Bill, currently in another place, making provisions which will put beyond any doubt that authorities may present computer evidence in support of applications for liability orders in magistrates courts. These will cover enforcement of the community charge, the non-domestic rate and, in future, the council tax. We are determined that authorities should be given every assistance in recovering tax and charges from those who fail to pay their dues.