HC Deb 19 January 1965 vol 705 cc14-5
21. Mr. Peter Walker

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he is taking to recruit the staff required to administer and to collect the proposed capital gains tax and corporation tax.

26. Mr. Channon

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements he is making to increase the staff of the Board of Inland Revenue.

Mr. Callaghan

The staff needs of the Department in relation to the amount of work are kept under constant scrutiny.

Mr. Walker

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very high regard of hon. Members on both sides of the House for the tremendous work done by the Inland Revenue? Can he say whether for the purposes of the capital gains tax he intends to take on his own valuation staff, or to use existing firms which are available?

Mr. Callaghan

I am much obliged, as I am sure everyone is, for what the hon. Gentleman has said about the Board of Inland Revenue, and I will see that what he has said is conveyed to the Board. It is a very hard-working. Department. I must ask the hon. Gentleman to await a decision on the basis of staff needs which is still under consideration.

Sir H. Butcher

In view of the widespread dissatisfaction among clerical and typing staffs in his Department, does the right hon. Gentleman have the slightest chance of increasing the number employed therein?

Mr. Callaghan

Negotiations about an increase in pay are going on and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not want to depart from the normal practice of the House of not intervening in those negotiations.