HC Deb 02 December 1991 vol 200 cc69-70W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what guidance his Department is giving to East Anglian local authorities that have still not collected all the community charge for 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Key

The Government strongly support local authorities' efforts to collect the community charge. The Audit Commission has recently issued a module on the community charge with advice on how to maximise collection. We warmly welcome this advice to authorities. An authority which is failing to collect the charge is merely passing the burden on to those who do pay. This cannot be right. Authorities must make every effort to ensure a high collection rate and must pursue non-payers vigorously.

Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) how many individuals failed to pay the total or part of their community charge for 1990–91 in the Waveney district council area; and what percentage this represents of the total number of charge payers in the Waveney district area;

(2) what was the total percentage amount of community charge paid in the Waveney district council area for 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Key

The number of individuals in Waveney who failed to make any payment of community charge in 1990–91 was 5,677, 7 per cent. of all individuals liable in Waveney. Information on individuals making partial payments is not available.

The authority had received 93 per cent of its budgeted community charge income for 1990–91 by 31 March 1991.

Mr. Bill Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will allow 100 per cent. rebates in appropriate cases for community charge in 1992–93.

Mr. Key

We do not propose to make any change in the existing basis of liability or the benefit arrangements for the remaining period of the community charge.