§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellors Department if he will review the basis of distraint by bailiffs on goods and chattels of debtors and further limit the range of such articles which can be distrained upon.
Mr. John M. TaylorThe goods and chattels which are exempt from levy and seizure following a judgment of a county court or the High Court were revised by section 15 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 which came into effect on 1 July 1991. This exemption also applies to distress for rent. I have no plans to amend those exemptions further.
I understand however that my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment is consulting local authority associations and other interested bodies about introducing restrictions which mirror these in cases of non-payment of the community charge and rates.