HC Deb 30 January 1991 vol 184 c532W
19. Mr. Andrew MacKay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on his review of the community charge.

Mr. Portillo

Our review is making progress, as can be seen from my right hon. Friend's recent announcement of the community charge reduction scheme. We are now considering the longer-term issues of local government functions, structure and finance.

33. Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has commissioned any survey or research studies to support his review of the community charge; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

No studies have been commissioned specifically for the purpose of the review.

24. Mr. Terry Fields

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he envisages completing his review of the poll tax; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

The review is intended to be thorough and fundamental. It is premature to say when it might be complete.

27. Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the review of the community charge which his Department is currently carrying out.

Mr. Portillo

Work is in progress to identify the building blocks for a stable and just basis for the future development of local government.

Mr. Riddick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make an updated statement on his Department's criteria for community charge capping.

Mr. Portillo

As my right hon. Friend told the House on 17 January, we stand firmly by the capping intentions announced by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bath (Mr. Patten) last October.