HC Deb 24 July 1989 vol 157 c468W
Mr. Fraser

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what element of the poll tax in Lambeth would represent rent arrears assuming no change in the current level of rent arrears in Lambeth and assuming repayment of those housing rent arrears from the general rate fund will spread over a period of five years.

Mr. Gummer

I assume that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the community charge. The latest available information from the council shows its housing rent arrears were some £12.6 million at 31 March 1988. It is the authority's responsibility to collect those arrears. But if it does not, we estimate the cost to the community charge payer would be some £13 per annum if spread over five years.