§ 29. Mr. Banfieldasked the First Commissioner of Works how many tax offices are scheduled as unsuitable for present use, and where they are situated?
§ The First Commissioner of Works (Sir Philip Sassoon)The Office of Works have at present under review a list of 156 buildings in Great Britain housing 257 tax offices, which, in varying degree, require improvement. Arrangements are actually in hand for dealing with 88 buildings containing 165 tax offices. In the remaining cases special difficulty is experienced owing to the absence of suitable alternative accommodation in the towns concerned.
§ Mr. BanfieldIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the extreme difficulty which the staffs in these tax offices have in getting their duties done owing to the insufficient accommodation?
§ Sir P. SassoonI am aware that the accommodation is unsuitable, and we are trying to make improvements.
§ 32. Mr. Kellyasked the first Commissioner of Works why the principle of erecting Crown buildings to house Government offices, as in the case of the Ministry of Labour and the post offices, is not adopted in the case of tax offices and collectors' offices?
§ Sir P. SassoonCrown buildings are erected for the Ministry of Labour and the Post Office because their requirements are of a very specialised character and can only be met by buildings designed for the purpose. The requirements of tax offices and collectors' offices are not so 1771 specialised and can usually be met by hiring suitable office accommodation, with the additional advantage that when a hired building ceases to satisfy Inland Revenue requirements the tenancy can be determined at stated periods. Where suitable accommodation is not available, the question of erecting a Crown building for tax collectors' offices is considered.
§ Mr. KellyIn view of the experience of so many unsuitable buildings being used, will not the First Commissioner consider the erection of buildings instead of hiring them, as at the present time?
§ Sir P. SassoonWhere necessary, we do that.