HC Deb 15 January 1990 vol 165 cc69-70W
Sir David Steel

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what information he has on the cost of the collection of debts arising out of the non-payment of rates in the 12-month period prior to the introduction of the community charge;

(2) what are the (a) current and (b) projected costs for the collection of poll tax debts.

Mr. Rifkind

Although local authorities make returns to my Department of the administrative cost of collecting the community charge and previously made similar returns in respect of rates, the returns do not show separately the cost of collecting debts.

Mr. Adley

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether all local authorities in Scotland have offered the facility of single payment by one member of the household on their community charge payment forms; and what the response to this facility has been.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

In order to increase the accountability of local authorities to their electorates, the community charge legislation requires every person who is liable to pay the personal community charge to be sent a demand notice. Where more than one person in a household receives a demand notice it is a matter for members of that household to decide whether each individual should pay his or her own bill or whether to adopt some other arrangement.

Mr. McAllion

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what guidance his Department has issued to Scottish local authorities on use of the debt recovery mechanisms outlined in the Abolition of Domestic Rates Etc. (Scotland) Act 1987 and the application of the provisions of the Debtors (Scotland) Act 1987 in relation to the recovery of poll tax payments from those who have defaulted on such payments; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 12 January 1990]None. It is for local authorities to consider the most effective method of recovering debt, including community charge arrears.