HC Deb 08 February 1990 vol 166 cc758-9W
Mr. Marlow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how much was raised by domestic rates in 1988–89 and 1989–90; and what is the amount that should be raised if councils spend at SSA levels, and the amount he anticipates that councils will charge.

Mr. Chope

I estimate from local authority budgets that the following amounts were raised by domestic rates in 1988–89 and 1989–90:

Before rate rebates £ million After rate rebates £ million
1988–89 8,847 7,674
1989–90 9,754 8,499

If local authority spending in 1990–91 is equal to total standard spending, £9.7 billion will be raised from charge payers before benefits and £7.55 billion after community charge benefit and income support. I expect local authorities to make every effort to keep their spending within the Government's assumptions. Figures are not directly comparable between years because of changes in local authority functions

Mr. Jack

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proportion of local authority expenditure in 1990–91 he estimates will be met by community charge payers.

Mr. Chope

[holding answer 5 February 1990]: Taking account of community charge benefit (including income support) and transitional relief, I estimate that if local authorities in England spend at the level of total standard spending in 1990–91, 23 per cent. of that expenditure will be met by community charge payers.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will amend poll tax regulations to extend exemption to those single persons serving short custodial sentences and defendants remanded in custody, in order that local authorities will not consider them eligible for payment for unoccupied premises before the passing of 52 weeks in custody.

Mr. Chope

[holding answer 6 February 1990]Guidance already issued by the Department has suggested that local authorities should use the wide discretion available to them to specify this class of circumstance as one where the standard community charge multiplier is zero.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce a provision that every person who pays poll tax is entitled to his own dustbin.

Mr. Chope

[holding answer 6 February 1990]No.

Mr. Kennedy

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance his Department has issued to local authority community charges registration officers in relation to nursing students registering for the poll tax.

Mr. Chope

[holding answer 7 February 1990]Guidance on the eligibility of student nurses for the student relief is contained in "The Community Charge: Students and the Community Charge" (community charge practice note No. 23) which has been sent to all community charge registration officers. A copy is in the Library of the House.

Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what advice his Department is giving to rating authorities about making available photocopies of the non-domestic rating list to members of the public, under the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

Mr. Chope

[holding answer 7 February 1990]: My right hon. Friend has not given any advice to charging authorities on this matter. The provisions for inspection of non-domestic rating lists are contained in paragraph 8 of schedule 9 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988, inserted by paragraph 48 of schedule 5 to the Local Government and Housing Act 1989. Under this provision members of the public have a right to require the authority to provide a photograhic copy of the list, or an extract from it. Authorities may make a reasonable charge for doing so.