Orders of the Day — Local Government Finance Bill

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 9:46 pm on 16 December 1987.

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Photo of Christopher Chope Christopher Chope Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Environment) 9:46, 16 December 1987

I have got 11 minutes only in which to try to reply to some of the points that have been made in debate.

Twenty million people pay nothing at all and in some areas the figures are even more dramatic. For example, in Liverpool, only one voter in four pays rates directly and in full. In Manchester the proportion may be even lower. What has developed is a system in which the majority of the electorate may vote for services for which they do not pay or for which they pay only a small contribution. The opportunities for abuse that are presented by the system have been and are being exploited by the most irresponsible councils. By their actions they are bringing local government into disrepute.

My right hon. Friend the Member for Henley (Mr. Heseltine) made an eloquent speech to which the House listened intently. My right hon. Friend has said that he would have liked to have been here for the wind-up, but was—[Interruption.]