HC Deb 21 April 2004 vol 420 cc520-1W
Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many(a) attachment of earnings, (b) charging orders, (c) third party debt orders, (d) judgment summons and (e) warrants of execution were issued in each year since 1997; what the total debt was that each enforcement method was to recover; and what the success rates in terms of debt recovery were for each enforcement method. [166803]

Mr. Leslie

Figures relating to the first part of the question are provided in the following table. Information relating to the amount and success rates of the enforcement methods is not available centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Attachment of earning orders Charging orders Third party debt orders Judgement summons issued Warrants of execution issued
1997 65,669 11,602 4,048 5,234 622,408
1998 43,440 10,852 3,646 5,688 543,848
1999 34,399 9,820 3,357 5,709 538,337
2000 35,545 10,636 3,174 5,687 470,270
2001 42,011 15,900 4,139 3,640 394,611
2002 39,855 21,447 5,499 139 372,505
2003 40,384 25,054 6,019 116 355,476

Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs (1) in how many county court judgments liability orders have been made for the payment of council tax by an enforcement agent where no levy is made in each year since 1997; [166808]

(2) in how many county court judgments liability orders for levying distress have been made for the payment of council tax where the sum is £100 or less in each year since 1997; [166809]

(3) in how many county court judgments walking possession orders have been made for the payment of council tax in each year since 1997. [166810]

Mr. Leslie

Non-payment of council tax is dealt with in each local authority area by the magistrates courts and not the county courts. The information requested and level of detail is not held centrally, and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.