§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the cost to date of the printing and issuing of poll tax collection books; and what was the cost of re-issuing new poll tax collection notices and books following the Budget changes in poll tax levels;
(2) what is his estimate of the total cost to date of the publication and distribution of poll tax registration forms;
(3) what is his estimate of the total cost of printing, and distributing (i) poll tax reminder forms and (ii) sheriff officer warrants;
(4) what is his estimate of the cost of computer equipment for the administration of poll tax registers for each of the regions of Scotland;
538W(5) what is his estimate of the staffing costs of poll tax registration officers.
§ Mr. Allan StewartBased on local authorities' own budget estimates, the cost of community charge registration in 1991–92 will be £18.6 million and the cost of collecting the charge will be £43 million. No further breakdown of these figures is held centrally.
The Scottish Office Environment Department plans to discuss with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities the additional administrative costs which local authorities will face in issuing revised 1991–92 bills following the passage of the Community Charges (General Reductions) Act 1991.