§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how many people in the North Devon district council area would benefit from reduced payments under his council tax proposals.
§ Mr. Key[holding answer 15 May 1991]: Information about the effect of the council tax on individuals is not available. The tables issued on 23 April show the effects on households of the council tax as compared with headline community charges in 1991–92.
§ Mr. Terry DavisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what is the estimated cost of using the district valuers and their staff to undertake the valuation of properties for the proposed council tax;
(2) how many estate agents will be employed to undertake the valuation of properties for the proposed council tax; how these estate agents will be chosen; and what is his estimate of the cost of employing them.
§ Mr. Key[holding answer 14 May 1991]: Paragraph 2.29 of the consultation paper "A new tax for local government" set out the Government's proposals for the initial banding of properties. We are presently considering the best way of combining Valuation Office expertise and that of private sector valuers, with a view to enabling all domestic properties to be placed into seven bands by value, and the council tax to be in place by April 1993.