To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from senior police officers concerning the implications of their forces' involvement with the poll tax collection system for their other police operations; what indication he has of the costs to police forces of this poll tax involvement; and if he will make a statement.

Home Office officials have been in contact with the Association of Chief Police Officers about the resource implications of police involvement with enforcement of the community charge. However, it is anticipated that, as with the rates system, that involvement will be limited and no central assessment of the costs has been made.