To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the contributing factors in the rise of council tax receipts between 1997-98 and 2006-07; and if he will make a statement. (142353)

I have been asked to reply.

Council tax levels are set by local authorities. In addition to changes over time in the Band D level of council tax, the total receipts have been affected by growth in the council tax base. Receipts actually taken by authorities depend also on their collection rates.