Local Government Finance

HC Deb 15 March 1990 vol 169 cc367-8W

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the exemption from the community charge, to be given to mentally ill people, will be dependent on the definitions laid down in the Mental Health Act 1983; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

Exemption from the community charge will not be dependent on the definition laid down in the Mental Health Act 1983.

Provided that a person is in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits listed in schedule 1 (paragraph 4) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (as amended by the Personal Community Charge (Exemptions) Order 1989, SI 1989/442, and the Personal Community Charge (Exemptions for the Severely Mentally Impaired) Order 1990, SI 1990/462) and is in receipt of a certificate from a registered medical practitioner stating that he is severely mentally impaired he will be exempt from the community charge.