§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what arrangements he proposes to make to enable those on supplementary benefit to receive compensation for their 20 per cent. contribution to the community charge; how long they will be required to wait before compensation is paid; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe Government have made it clear that the decision to compensate those on income support, for the average minimum contribution towards domestic rates, will be carried through on introduction of the community charge. Details will be announced in due course.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost of (a) collecting from supplementary benefit recipients their 20 per cent. contribution to the community charge and (b) the cost of paying compensation to those on supplementary benefit for their 20 per cent. contribution to the community charge; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe Green Paper "Paying for Local Government" (Cmnd. 9714) discusses in paragraph 3.43 the operational issues and cost of collecting the community charge. The cost of taking account of the minimum contributions in benefit rates will depend on the detailed arrangements yet to be announced.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the total sum to be collected from those making the 20 per cent. contribution to the community charge; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottThe amount of community charge to be collected from those eligible for maximum rebate of the charge cannot yet be known. It will depend on the level of charges set by local authorities and the numbers of people qualifying for income-related benefits.