HC Deb 23 March 1988 vol 130 c143W
36. Mr. Andy Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many Scottish local authorities have refused to co-operate with the implementation process for the community charge; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lang

The implementation of the new system is the statutory responsibility of regional and islands councils in Scotland, all of which are taking the necessary steps to prepare for the introduction of the community charge on 1 April 1989.

46. Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will delay the implementation of the Abolition of Domestic Rates etc. Scotland Act 1987 until such time as all the parliamentary regulations and orders relating to it have been made and approved; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lang

No. Satisfactory progress is being made in bringing forward the necessary regulations under the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 and my right hon. and learned Friend has no intention of delaying its implementation.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the impact on areas with high levels of need and demand for local government services of the introduction of a flat-rate community charge for the whole of Scotland.

Mr. Lang

Client group assessments of expenditure need have been developed in conjunction with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities to take account of variations in both the need for services and the costs of providing services. The distribution of revenue support grant to authorities will be based on these assessments. The principle behind grant distribution will be that two authorities responsible for the same range of services should have the same community charge if they spend at assessed need.

Mrs. Margaret Ewing

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether registers, compiled for the purpose of levying the community charge, will be placed in public libraries; and if he will list details which will be recorded on such registers.

Mr. Lang

Section 20 of the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 and regulation 17 of the Community Charges (Registration) (Scotland) Regulations 1988 provide that the publicly available parts of the community charges register will be available for inspection at the office of the registration officer and at the headquarters of regional, islands and district councils.

The information thus to be made available for public inspection consists of the addresses and names contained in the community charges register, and the collective community charge multiplier applying to certain premises.