HC Deb 19 March 1990 vol 169 cc442-3W
7. Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the highest and lowest community charge levied in Wales for 1990–91.

Mr. Peter Walker

My information is not yet complete. but the charge set by Clwyd county council is £223 and by Powys £147. The charge set by Cardiff city council is £78, and £7 by South Pembrokeshire. When full details are reported to me I will place in the Library a comprehensive report on the community charges set by all councils in Wales together with details of their expenditure decisions. It will be for the electorate to consider whether explanations given by councils for their decisions are acceptable.

20. Mr. Denzil Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether he will, as a matter of urgency, meet representatives of Welsh district and borough councils to discuss the implications of the community charge.

Mr. Peter Walker

I meet representatives of Welsh district and county councils on a regular basis in the forum of the Welsh consultative council on local government finance. I have no plans to convene a meeting of the consultative council to discuss the implications of the community charge.

22. Mr. Anderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what lessons he has learnt from the process of implementing the poll tax in Wales.

Mr. Peter Walker

I have learnt that, in setting their budgets, some local authorities appear to have acted with insufficient regard for the interests of their charge payers, especially those on low or fixed incomes.