HC Deb 10 January 1989 vol 144 cc548-9W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will introduce regulations which require that community charge payers should be informed that the community charge register containing their names and addresses can be inspected and copied by third parties.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 19 December 1988]: It is made clear in the notice which is sent to registered persons informing them of their entry in the community charges register, prescribed in schedule 2 to the Community Charges (Registration) (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 1988, that the parts of the register showing names, addresses and collective community charge multipliers applying to certain premises will be made available for public inspection.

Mr. David Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in theOfficial Report, a list of all those categories of people who will (a) be excluded from liability to pay the community charge and (b) be entitled to a rebate on community charge payments; and what the scale of such rebates will be.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 22 December 1988]: Those persons who will be exempt from liability to pay the personal community charge are listed in schedule 1A to the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987, as amended by the Local Government Finance Act 1988. In addition, people undertaking a full-time course of education who fall within the definitions contained in the Personal Community Charge (Students) (Scotland) Regulations 1988 will be liable for only 20 per cent. of the personal community charge. People on a low income who qualify under the provisions of the Housing Benefit (Community Charge Rebates) (Scotland) Regulations 1988 will be entitled to a rebate of their personal community charge or their collective community charge contribution as appropriate. Depending on their personal circumstances, including income, they will be entitled to a rebate of up to 80 per cent. of their liability.