§ 15. Mr. Dalyellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the shortage of Inland Revenue staff in the Scottish Estate Duty Office.
§ Mr. DiamondThe Scottish Estate Duty Office's requirements have recently been under review and proposed arrangements for the provision of additional staff to fill the current shortage have recently been put to the staff associations concerned. I have written to my hon. Friend with further details.
§ Mr. DalyellFollowing that interesting and full letter, what is being done by the Inland Revenue to try to hold highly qualified staff for whom there is a powerful market demand?
§ Mr. DiamondMy hon. Friend is on to the kernel of the matter. The situation is that the Inland Revenue trains its new 192 applicants and insists on their acquiring a legal degree. As soon as they are trained and qualified, private industry attracts them. This is a problem which is with us, and there is no obvious solution.