To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what recent estimate he has made of the cost of council tax collection and enforcement to local authorities; and if he will make a statement. [104516]

The cost to local authorities of collecting and enforcing the council tax in England is estimated to be £319 million in 2002–03.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, column 609W, on council tax, what assessment he has made of the main components of the cost of collecting council tax; and if he will make a statement. [104754]

The returns made by English local authorities to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister indicate about 30 per cent. of the gross collection costs are attributable to staff costs with the remainder being non-staff running expenses. No more detailed assessment of the cost of collecting the council tax has been made.

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to his answer of 17 March 2003, Official Report, column 609W, on council tax, whether the figures he provided were gross or net of council tax benefit; and if he will make a statement. [104755]

The figures provided related to the council tax itself and did not include the cost of council tax benefit or its administration.