§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects the information on how many people in Scotland have and have not paid the poll tax to be available.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIt will be some while yet before reliable information becomes available from local authorities on payment levels of the community charge. Such information as is available from local authorities is not a reliable guide to the numbers of people who are declining to pay, because it cannot as yet take account of those who, for example, have decided to pay by lump sum, who may still be awaiting rebated bills or who have decided to delay their first payment until the last moment before they become liable to pay the full annual amount. Local authorities recognise these factors and are, I understand, generally satisfied with the progress so far made in collecting the community charge.
§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance has been given to Scottish members of Her Majesty's forces living in Germany about requirements to pay the community charge in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonGuidance prepared by the Ministry of Defence on all aspects of the community charge as it affects service personnel has been issued to all units and commands at home and overseas. Copies of this guidance have been placed in the House of Commons Library.