HC Deb 22 March 1990 vol 169 cc715-6W
Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is(a) the latest estimate of the total cost of collecting and administering the community charge for 1990–91, excluding set-up costs, (b) the total set-up costs of the introduction of community charge, locally and nationally, (c) the estimated cost of the collection and administration of the rates in 1989–90 and (d) the number of staff employed in the calculations, collection and administration of the rates in 1989–90.

Mr. Chope

[holding answer 20 March 1990]: The latest estimate of the total cost of collecting and administering the community charge in 1990–91 is £400 million. The latest estimate made by authorities of the current cost of preparation is £207 million. The estimated capital cost of preparation is £160 million. The estimated cost of collecting rates in 1989–90 was £200 million. The total number of staff employed in the calculation, collection arid administration of the rates in 1989–90 is not separately distinguishable in the available statistics.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will now publish in theOfficial Report recalculations of the tables in annex J of Cmnd. 9714, "Paying for Local Government."

Mr. David Hunt

[holding answer 21 March 1990]: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 15 March, Official Report, volume 169, column 313.