HC Deb 20 October 1994 vol 248 cc289-90W
Mr. Tipping

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what were the outstanding arrears of community charge in total and by each local authority on 31 March.

Mr. Curry

I estimate that the level of community charge arrears for local authorities in England at 31 March 1994 was between £1.5 and £1.6 billion. Authorities have, however, made provision for non-collection of £1.4 billion.

There is insufficient information available centrally to make a reliable estimate for each local authority. However, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy regularly publishes estimates for individual authorities: figures for 31 March 1993 are available in the Library of the House.