§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the percentage collection rate for each local authority for the poll tax(a) in 1989 and (b) in 1990; what was the shortfall in revenue in 1989 in each case; and by how much poll tax rates would have to be increased to compensate for the loss of revenue from non-payment.
§ Mr. LangThe collection of community charges is the responsibility of individual local authorities and the information requested is not held centrally. I understand that in respect of 1989–90 most levying authorities now expect to collect 90 per cent. or more of the total billed revenue from the community charge, which is over 95 per cent. of their budget estimates. Final collection figures will not be known until local authorities have completed their recovery procedures, which may not be for some time. I understand also that collection for 1990–91 is proceeding generally at a similar rate to last year. It is not possible to estimate the effect of community charge non-payment upon future community charge levels. Any shortfall on budgeted revenue is unlikely to be more than 1 per cent. of local authorities' overall income, and may be less. We have made it clear that local authorities faced with such a shortfall should be able to adjust their expenditure, for example by making efficiency savings, without materially affecting services and that the shortfall should not be seen as a pretext for increasing charges.