HC Deb 21 October 1969 vol 788 c938
24. Mr. Mapp

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will defer his arrangements for centralising Pay As You Earn income tax arrangements until he is able to ensure to Pay As You Earn taxpayers the present facilities available by local tax officers for consultation and solution of tax inquiries.

Mr. Taverne

Under the centralisation programme local tax officers will continue to be available to assist P.A.Y.E. taxpayers.

Mr. Mapp

Is the Minister aware that to assist is one thing and to solve is another? What will happen will be that the P.A.Y.E. taxpayer, who usually cannot get away from his business, will have to make two visits with the delay of a week or so, and the other form of taxpayer will be able to get an interview and solve his problems there and then. Why the differentiation in these cases?

Mr. Taverne

If the P.A.Y.E. taxpayer can give a few days' notice of his request all his problems can be dealt with. If it is an urgent matter, no doubt the local tax office can get in touch with the computer centre and obtain the necessary information.

In general, there is no doubt that the computer programme will ease the administration of the Inland Revenue at a time when delays in the Inland Revenue can only inconvenience the taxpayer.