§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what is the average weekly amount ordered by magistrates for payment of poll tax arrears by recipients of income support.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will include in the community charge enforcement statement figures for the remission of debt following means tests.
Mr. John M. TaylorI have no plans to add to the existing information that is supplied to the Library of the House.
§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will make regulations to limit the amount of payment for poll tax arrears ordered by the courts in the case of recipients of income support to no more than £2.15 per week; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. John M. TaylorIt is not the role of the courts to determine the rate of payment of arrears by debtors subject to a liability order. Where recovery cannot otherwise be achieved, a court may, on an application by the charging authority, decide in the light of the debtor's means to postpone committal to prison for default, subject to any requirement to make such payments as the court may determine. I do not think that it would be right for me to seek to fetter the courts' discretion in such matters.