Community Charge (Hansard, 26 November 1990)

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been prosecuted to date for non-payment of the community charge.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
Non-payment of the community charge is a civil rather than a criminal matter, so the question of prosecutions as such does not arise. I am aware of about 190 court appearances by Service personnel in connection with non-payment of the community charge.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times bailiffs employed by local authorities have visited service accommodation in connection with non-payment of the community charge.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
Twice, so far as I am aware.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy regarding the admission of bailiffs employed by local authorities on to Ministry of Defence property.
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§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
Bailiffs employed by local authorities may be admitted to Ministry of Defence property, but they must be accompanied at all times by Service personnel when within unit boundaries.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many attachment of possessions orders have been served on service personnel to date due to non-payment of community charges.

§ Mr. Archie Hamilton
Liability orders for non payment of the community charge give local authorities a number of recovery options, including distraint. I am not aware that this latter option has been used against any Service personnel.