HC Deb 12 July 1990 vol 176 cc336-7W
Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to providing further financial assistance to service personnel to pay the community charge beyond the arrangements that have already been made.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

We have no plans to alter the present arrangements for assistance to personnel in service accommodation who face high community charges. Service personnel will, however, benefit from any changes which apply to other members of the population in similar circumstances.

Mr. O'Neill

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to exempting service personnel from the community charge.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

It was decided at a very early stage that service personnel would in general be liable for the community charge in the same way as other members of the community.