§ 3. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in view of the Government's policy of restricting office building in the London area, accommodation for the Inland Revenue is being furnished in a new office building, New Maiden House, in the Royal Borough of Kingston-upon-Thames; what steps were taken to provide accommodation for the Inspectors of Foreign Dividends and the training school for inspectors of taxes outside the Greater London area; and what rent is being paid in respect of the provision of accommodation for the Inland Revenue in this building.
§ The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. John Diamond)Because the staff in question could not be moved outside 799 the London area, and the new office building was not affected by the office control. It is not customary to disclose the rent paid for Government offices.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCan the right hon. Gentleman reconcile that Answer with the information given to me by the Financial Secretary that one section of the staff—the Foreign Dividends people—have been brought into the London area from Hinchley Wood? Is it not absurd and unfair to install the Inland Revenue in offices in the London area when the borough council concerned is forbidden by the Board of Trade to consolidate its own offices to discharge its increased responsibilities?
§ Mr. DiamondAs the right hon. Gentleman appreciates, any Questions relating to the Board of Trade should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. As regards the earlier part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, he will recollect that the office of the Inspector of Foreign Dividends is part of the Surtax Office and, therefore, is incorporated within it.