§ 13. Mr. Eadieasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is now satisfied that the Inland Revenue organisation in Scotland is coping with matters affecting income tax claims; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TaverneI have no reason to believe that, given the volume of work, there has been any undue delay in handling income tax matters in Scotland.
§ Mr. EadieIs my hon. and learned Friend aware that this is the second time that I have raised this question? Would he not agree that it must give the Department some concern that the East Kilbride centre in particular should be subjected to so much criticism? Does he not agree that a case has been made out for an investigation?
§ Mr. TaverneI am aware of letters which my hon. Friend has forwarded to the Treasury. It would be unfair to blame the Revenue in each of those cases, though there have been mistakes. But this is a tremendous operation in East Kilbride, with something like 1 million P.A.Y.E. payers being dealt with at one centre instead of 65 centres. It is inevitable that such a major reorganisation should have some troubles.
Mr. Edward M. TaylorWill the hon. and learned Gentleman at least accept that the concentration of so many tax offices on the computer centre at East Kilbride makes it extremely inconvenient and expensive for the average person in West Scotland to call in at his tax office to discuss his affairs?
§ Mr. TaverneThis relates to P.A.Y.E. When it comes to the kind of cases where people often have to discuss immediate affairs, such as Schedule D, it is not affected.