§ Mr. Andrew MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he is taking to introduce community charge rebates regulations to have effect in Scotland in 1989–90.
§ Mr. ScottBefore rebate regulations can be laid, the Social Security Act 1986 has to be modified to provide the necessary statutory powers. It is our intention to lay the modification regulations as soon as possible after the Local Government Finance Bill receives Royal Assent. These regulations, which will be made under section 24 of the Abolition of Domestic Rates (Etc.) Scotland Act 1987, will provide for the introduction of Housing Benefit (Community Charge Rebate) Regulations. Once the modification regulations have been made, formal consultation with the local authority associations will begin on the draft community charge rebate regulations. In the meantime, Scottish local authorities have already received a substantial part of the draft regulations and we shall be issuing a complete draft to them shortly.