§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of(a) the average community charge payment in 1988–89, and (b) the average community charge for income support claimants in 1989–90.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe community charge will not be introduced in England until 1990–91.
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he proposes to publish regulations regarding the community charge in England.
§ Mr. GummerDraft regulations on information for the purposes of compiling the register, inspection of the register, and the billing arrangements for community charges were sent to a number of bodies on 28 October for comment. I am arranging for copies of the draft regulations to be placed in the Library of the House. Regulations on a number of other topics will be circulated for comment shortly.
§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the anticipated community charge payable by Liverpool city council on properties which have been vacant for more than the statutory period over the course of the first 12 months following the introduction of the community charge.
§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley[holding answer 7 November 1988]: Domestic property which is not used as a sole or main residence will give rise to a standard community charge, calculated as a multiple of the personal community charge for the area. The multiplier for properties which are vacant for up to three months will be set at zero. Charging authorities will have the discretion to set a multiplier of 0, ½ 1, 1½ or 2 for properties which are vacant for more than three months. The total amount payable in standard community charges by Liverpool city council on such properties will therefore depend on the use it makes of this discretion, the number of such properties and the length of time each property is vacant.