HC Deb 17 July 1991 vol 195 cc197-8W
18. Mr. Darling

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what estimate he has of the amount of poll tax that has been collected in the year 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Allan Stewart

According to information provided by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, a total of £43 million had been collected by the end of May. This low figure is not surprising given that some authorities, including Strathclyde, did not issue revised 1991–92 charge bills until last month.

29. Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now remove people on income support and students from liability to pay the poll tax.

Mr. Allan Stewart

My right hon. Friend is keeping all aspects of the community charge under review, but has no plans for changing the arrangements affecting the liability of people on income support to pay the charge.

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish a table, otherwise comparable to that provided for England in the answer of 17 April,Official Report, columns 184–85, to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field) showing (a) reductions in 1991–92 in community charge in Scotland by successive increments of £10 from £0 to £140 for (i) charge payers and (ii) pensioners and (b) average community charge less community charge reduction scheme less community charge benefit, both before and after the £140 budget reduction in gross community charge, consistent with his written answer of 3 June, Official Report, columns 19–20.

Mr. Lang

[holding answer 15 July 1991]: It is estimated that in 1991–92 the average community charge in Scotland, after the community charge reduction scheme and community charge benefit, would have been £320 before the Community Charges (General Reduction) Act and will in the event be £198. These figures make no allowance for reductions due to selective action. Beyond this I am unable to add to the reply I gave on 4 June.

35. Mr. McMaster

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he next plans to meet representatives of Scottish local authorities to discuss local government finance.

Mr. Allan Stewart

I refer to my right hon. Friend's reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Falkirk, East (Mr. Ewing).

19. Mr. Foulkes

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on what basis Scottish local authorities are being funded to compensate them for the reductions in poll tax charges announced by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Allan Stewart

Community charge grant is being paid to local authorities to compensate them for the £140 reduction in headline community charges for this year.

25. Mr. Graham

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the shortfall in local authority receipts of poll tax income for the first two years of the operation of the tax in Scotland.

Mr. Allan Stewart

Based on the latest collection figures issued by the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, and using local authorities' own payment assumptions, the shortfall in budgeted charge income is £80 million—8.8 per cent.—in 1989–90 and £220 million—21.9 per cent.—in 1990–91. An improvement in these figures, particularly for 1990–91, can be expected as collection procedures continue.