HC Deb 02 July 1987 vol 118 cc145-6W
Ms. Harman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the likely level of the community charge, without safety nets, in the London borough of Southwark.

Mr. Howard

Since the new system will not come into effect until 1990, it is not possible to say what the level of the community charge in the London borough of Southwark will be when it is introduced. However, I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Copeland (Dr. Cunningham) on 29 June, at column45.

Mr. Barry Field

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the effect on the community charge calculations of the reduction in the rate of grant payable for approved coast protection schemes; and what steps he intends to take to mitigate these effects.

Mr. Howard

The reduction in the maximum rate of grant for approved coast protection schemes will not necessarily have any impact on the community charges levied in particular areas. Under the proposals set out in the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" (Cmnd. 9714), all areas will be compensated, through the general grant system, for variations in their need to spend on local services. That compensation will be calculated so as to include the cost of financing approved coast protection schemes, to the extent that these costs are not already met by specific grant.

Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he expects to publish Green or White Papers in respect of his proposed legislation for the introduction of a community charge.

Mr. Howard

The Government's proposals for changes to the local finance system were set out in the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" (Cmnd. 9714) published on 28 January 1986. Consultation on the proposals ran until 31 October 1986 and the Government published a further document "Paying for Local Government, the Community Charge" confirming that they intended to proceed and setting out the proposed administrative arrangements on 15 December 1986, at column 392. The commitment subsequently appeared in the manifesto on which the Government were convincingly re-elected.