§ 17. Mr. Jacques ArnoldTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment which councils have the lowest rate of collection of the community charge.
§ Mr. PortilloCollection of charges for 1990–91 continues, but the average collection rate of the 250 authorities for which we have information was already over 90 per cent. at the end of March. Only Islington and Lambeth had collected less than 70 per cent. and even they had achieved two thirds of their budgeted figure.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the community charge reduction scheme for 1991–92 announced in November; what was the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the further revised scheme in 1991–92; and what is the estimated cost to the Exchequer of the revised scheme in 1991–92 in the light of the Community Charge (General Reduction) Act 1991.
§ Mr. Key[holding answer 3 May 1991]: When the community charge reduction scheme was announced in January 1991, the estimated cost of the scheme in 1991–92 was 1.7 billion. Following the £140 general reduction and the changes to the reduction scheme which followed the Budget, it is estimated that the cost of the scheme in 1991–92 will be just over £1.2 billion.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the level of the fund to cover local authorities' additional administrative expenses arising as a consequence of the Community Charge (General Reduction) Act; and what are the criteria by which it will be allocated to authorities.
§ Mr. KeyWe have undertaken to meet all reasonable additional costs incurred as a result of the Community Charge (General Reduction) Act 1991 and the associated changes in the community charge reduction scheme.
§ 26. Mr. LofthouseTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will take action to abolish the 20 per cent. payment of poll tax in the current year for people on low incomes; and if he will make a statement.