§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he intends to seek powers to rectify the position where local authorities have sought information on poll tax registration forms in excess of his recommendation; and if he will seek powers to determine what information local authorities are able to seek in future years;
(2) what guidance he issued to local authorities about the information they should seek on the poll tax registration form; which information he has concerning local authorities which have asked for information in excess of his recommendation; what communications he has had with those authorities; and what advice he has given to them concerning rectification.
§ Mr. GummerThe Government have no plans to introduce a poll tax.
It is for community charges registration officers to ensure that any request for information made for the purpose of compiling registers falls within their statutory powers. Guidance on these matters is contained in Community Charge Practice Note No. 8 published in November 1988. Copies of all practice notes are in the Library.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has on the progress in the establishment of local arrangements to cover payment by student nurses of the poll tax; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 26 May 1989]: The Government have no plans to introduce a poll tax.
Most student nurses training under the existing arrangements are salaried and will pay the full personal community charge reduced by any community charge benefit to which they may be entitled. Nursing students training under the proposed Project 2000 scheme will pay only 20 per cent. of the personal community charge like other full time students.