HC Deb 11 February 1992 vol 203 cc432-3W
Mr. Alton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the cost involved in issuing the 145,000 summonses served by Liverpool city council in the cases of alleged community charge non-payers; and what redress is open to recipients who have paid their community charge.

Mr. Key

My Department does not collect information on the costs incurred by local authorities in taking enforcement action against non-payers of the community charge. Following the issue of a summons, the magistrates court may grant the local authority a liability order against an individual only if it is satisfied that his community charge is payable and remains unpaid.