§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many summonses have been served concerning moneys outstanding on the community charge; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gwilym JonesThe total number of summonses issued by Welsh courts in respect of arrears in payment of community charge for the period 1 April 1990 to 31 December 1992 was 1,179,064. Some people may have been summonsed in more than one financial year.
Prompt action by local authorities in the use of enforcement procedures has had the desired effect. Welsh local authorities anticipate that they will collect more than they budgeted to collect when the 1992–93 charges were set. This surplus will be passed on in council tax bills for 1993–94, giving an average reduction for a band C property of £15.