HC Deb 22 March 1989 vol 149 cc626-8W
19. Mr. Morley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will estimate what the average community charge would have been in April 1989, based on the estimated level of domestic rates.

Mr. Ridley

Illustrative community charge figures for 1989–90 will be published when local authority budget returns have been received.

25. Sir Hugh Rossi

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what a ward sister would pay(a) in community charge and (b) in a system of capital value rates plus local income tax paid in the proportions of 80–20, respectively, if she lived in a typical one-bedroom flat in Hornsey.

Mr. Ridley

A ward sister earning £15,000 living in a flat in Hornsey worth £70,000 would pay a community charge of £291 (disregarding the transitional safety net) and £875 under a system of capital value rates plus local income tax.

32. Mr. Illsley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on the same basis as table E5 in the Green Paper, "Paying for Local Government", what percentage of householders in Barnsley, Central constituency whose equivalent net income falls in the range of (a) £100 to £200 per week and (b) £400 to £500 per week would, on 1988–89 figures, pay a higher net community charge, un-safety netted, than net rates.

61. Mr. Grocott

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on the same basis as table F5 in the Green Paper, "Paying for Local Government", what percentage of householders in The Wrekin constituency, whose equivalent net income falls in the range of(a) £100 to £200 per week and (b) £400 to £500 per week would, on 1988–89 figures, pay a higher net community charge, un-safety netted, than net rates.

100. Mr. John Garrett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment on the same basis as table F5 in the Green Paper "Paying for Local Government", what percentage of householders in Norwich, South constituency whose equivalent net income falls in the range of(a) £100 to £200 per week and (b) £400 to £500 per week would, on 1988–89 figures, pay a higher net community charge, un-safety netted, than net rates.

Mr. Gummer

The information requested is not available. The table in the Green Paper was based on a sample survey which cannot provide reliable estimates for individual constituencies.

101. Mr. Nellist

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what recent representations he has received on the proposed introduction of the community charge; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

My right hon. Friend and I receive a variety of representations about the new system of local government finance. Recently, they have tended to be concerned with the detail of the community charge regulations.

103. Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the proposed timetable for the community charge regulations for England and Wales being laid before the House.

Mr. Gummer

The following statutory instruments on the community charge in England and Wales were laid before the House on 17 March.

  • The Community Charges (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1989
  • The Personal Community Charge (Students) Regulations 1989
  • The Personal Community Charge (Exemptions) Order 1989
  • The Valuation and Community Charge Tribunals Regulations 1989
  • The Valuation and Community Charge Tribunals (Transfer of Jurisdiction) Regulations 1989
  • The Community Charge (Information Concerning Social Security) Regulations 1989

These form the bulk of the regulations on the community charge. Further regulations will be laid later this year, in the summer and autumn.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the present status of the Price Waterhouse study on the forecast of costs; and whether he intends to carry out any further assessments of the unit costs of implementing and calculating the community charge.

Mr. Gummer

The Government commissioned the firm of Price Waterhouse to undertake an independent study of preparation and collection costs of rates reform in England and Wales. The report was published in June 1988 and its findings taken into account in allocating resources to charging authorities. I have no plans to carry out a further study.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has received any representations from the European Commission of the implementation of the community charge; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gummer

No.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will consider exempting from the community charge those who have been deemed educationally subnormal or statemented under the Education Act 1981.

Mr. Gummer

The Local Government Finance Act 1988 provides a community charge exemption for adults who are severely mentally impaired, as defined in the Act. I have no plans to amend that definition.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to seek to enable local authorities to make arrangements with individuals who wish to pay the community charge on behalf of another charge payer.

Mr. Gummer

It was always envisaged that local authorities could offer this facility, and practice note No. 12 published last month contained advice on its implications.

Dr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list those organisations which have requested copies of "You and the Community Charge", published in December 1988 and the number of copies distributed.

Mr. Ridley

The booklet has been requested by local authorities; educational establishments; charitable, church and voluntary bodies; businesses; and political organisations.

In addition, hon. Members and many members of the public have asked for copies. In total, approximately 900,000 copies have been distributed so far. Orders for a further 100,000 are currently being dealt with. Demand continues.

Dr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many copies of "You and the Community Charge", published in December 1988, have been printed to date; what were the initial one-off costs of art work and creative design; and what is the total cost to date of copies printed.

Mr. Ridley

My Department has printed 1,800,000 copies so far, reflecting a continuing high demand for this booklet. Art work and design cost £10,227. Printing has cost £115,427.