§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about claimants on income support who are in arrears of community charge payments being dealt with by bailiffs rather than by direct deductions from their income support; if he will issue new guidance urgently to local authorities to advise them to use direct deductions from benefit wherever possible rather than to send in the bailiffs; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloI have had numerous representations on the enforcement of the community charge payment. It is for local authorities to decide which is the most appropriate method of enforcement to pursue within the powers available to them.