§ Q10. Mr. Dormandasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Treasury and the Departments of Trade and Industry and Employment over the arrangements for the value added tax centre.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir.
§ Mr. DormandDoes the Prime Minister recall telling the House on two occasions that Members from development areas need not be concerned about the siting of the centre at Southend because the numbers to be employed there would not be large? Is he aware that there have been two recent statements by Treasury Ministers that 6,000 additional staff will now be required for VAT? Does he agree that in the circumstances a large number will be employed in the centre? Will he consider transferring it to a development area such as mine, where that number of jobs would be a godsend?
§ The Prime MinisterWhat I have said all the time is that the Central Unit for VAT must be alongside the Customs and Excise at Southend. All the discussion about VAT shows that for its efficient operation that is necessary. But I have also stated that the bulk of the staff will be in offices throughout the country, including the development areas. Of course, the bulk of the staff cannot all be in development areas, because they must be spread over the whole country.
§ Mr. Harold WilsonWill the Prime Minister consider publishing a brief White Paper or making a statement in Parliament, in HANSARD, saying exactly what has been the total effect of transfers of central staff of the Civil Service to other areas, particularly development areas, over the past two years?
§ The Prime MinisterI shall gladly do that, and show the distribution.