§ Mr. Gwilym JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will give his estimate of the community charge for 1991–92, including precepts for each of the district councils in Wales.
§ Mr. Nicholas BennettThe level of community charges for 1991–92 will depend on the spending decisions of each local authority. If counties and districts spend in line with the realistic settlement that my right hon. Friend announced to the House on 17 January the average community charge component for each tier should be around £190 and £38 respectively, giving a combined community charge for standard spending of £228. The average community charge payable should not exceed £200 after allowing for the £62 million which the Government has provided for the community charge reduction scheme. This is £23 lower than the average actual charge for 1990–91 after relief, and is eminently achievable.