§ Mr. David MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants have had deductions made from his Department's benefits because they are in arrears with their poll tax; and if he will publish the figures for each of his Department's offices.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardDeductions in respect of community charge arrears can only be made from income support. Information on the numbers of deductions in place is collected centrally on a quarterly basis. The latest available figures are for May 1990. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Coventry, South-East (Mr. Nellist) on 2 July at columns460–61.