§ Mr. Marlandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will provide illustrative figures for each local authority of the effect of implementing his proposed local government finance reform in the form of a banded community charge; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HowardIllustrative figures for a banded charge would depend on the details of the scheme proposed—for example, the bands of income and the relationship between bands. Such a scheme would involve all the disadvantages of a local income tax with, additionally, considerable poverty trap effects on running from one band to another.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how the proposed needs assessment for local authorities under the new grant system proposed for the introduction of the poll tax will be open to challenge.
§ Mr. HowardThe needs assessment methodology will, after discussion with the local authority associations, be set out in a distribution report which will require the approval of the House. After approval, it will, like other decisions, be open to challenge by application for judicial review.
§ Mr. Rookerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish the 1987–88 poll tax exemplifications using safety netted figures in the same form as those published for 1986–87.
§ Mr. Howard[holding answer 28 October 1987]: Not yet, because the transitional arrangements are presently being reconsidered.
§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions he is having with Age Concern in relation to the introduction of the poll tax and its effect on retirement pensioners; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Howard[holding answer 30 October 1987]: The' Department has consulted Age Concern on the Government's proposals for rates reform and Age Concern has expressed its views in detail. I fully expect to continue discussions with Age Concern about the impact of our proposals on retirement pensioners.