§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many extra posts will be created in the Scottish courts administration in 1988, 1989, 1990 as a result of the community charge legislation.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe explanatory and financial memorandum to the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Bill estimated that up to 40 additional staff will be required. This estimate remains unchanged and additional staff will be deployed to the courts as and when required.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what figures were available to him, when he considered alternative introduction dates for the community charge, concerning the likely average individual charge in 1988–89.
§ Mr. LangCalculations of illustrative personal community charge levels have been made only on the basis of the charges which would have been required to replace actual domestic rate income. No future projections of personal community charge levels—which would be entirely speculative—have been made. My right hon. and learned Friend has always been concerned to secure the benefits of the community charge system for Scotland as soon as possible.