§ Mr. Ken HargreavesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about unpaid community charges in Lancashire; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. KeyI am not aware of any such representations.
The Department's information is that the proportion of residents who had made payments by the end of September varied from 80.4 per cent. in Burnley and 81 per cent. in west Lancashire to 96 per cent. in Hyndburn and 97.2 per cent. in Fylde. This range suggests that some authorities perform more efficiently than others and I look to all authorities to minimise arrears in the four months that remain of this financial year.