§ Mr. Peter RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the outstanding demand for rates unpaid in due time; and what steps are being taken for this collection.
§ Mr. AtkinsResponsibility for rate collection has been delegated to the Rate Collection Agency under its chief executive, Mr. D. Gallagher. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from D. W. Gallagher to Mr. Peter Robinson dated 26 April 1993:
You recently asked a Parliamentary Question about overdue outstanding rates and the steps that are taken to collect them. As I am responsible for the Rate Collection Agency the Secretary of State has asked me to reply.Overdue outstanding rates in Northern Ireland at 31 March 1993 amounted to £6.71 million or 1.84 per cent. of a total collectable rate of £364.97 million. At 31 March 1992 overdue outstanding rates were £7.24 million or 1.99 per cent. of a total collectable rate of £364.8 million.If rates are not paid on time by one of the prescribed payment methods a ratepayer will be sent a Final Demand following which he/she will be issued with a summons (Process in Debt Proceedings) for the Magistrates Court where the Agency will seek a Decree for the amount outstanding. Ratepayers who remain unwilling or unable to discharge their debts then become liable to enforcement action by the Enforcement of Judgments Office or to further legal action under Insolvency Legislation.269WCopies of the Rate Collection Agency's 1991/92 Annual Report have been placed in the House of Common's Library. This report contains statistical information about rate collection and recovery activity.Should you require further information please let me know.