§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimates he has made of the financial implications for each of the Scottish regions of the introduction of a uniform non-domestic rate.
§ Mr. LangNo such estimates have been made. There are no plans to introduce a separate uniform non-domestic rate for Scotland.
§ Mr. GrahamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether those in receipt of supplementary benefit will pay 20 per cent. of their poll tax liability.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 26 October 1987]: I am sorry not to have replied to the hon. Member more quickly. The information requested is as follows.
Those receiving income support, which will replace supplementary benefit in April 1988, will receive the maximum rebate of 80 per cent. The levels of income support will be adjusted to take account of the average 20 per cent. minimum contribution.
§ Mr. Nigel GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give his latest estimate of the national average community charge in Scotland at current prices; if he will give the formula for his calculation; and if the rebate system as it applies in Scotland will be based on this figure.
§ Mr. LangI refer to the information contained in my reply to the hon. Member on 1 December, at columns519–22. The calculations are based on the replacement of the income from domestic rates in 1987–88. Under the proposed community charge rebate scheme, rebates will be calculated on the basis of the actual personal community charge payable in each local authority area.