§ Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people in the Inland Revenue are now employed in collecting taxes; how this compares to five, 10 and 20 years ago; and what is
Total staff involved in tax collection (Collection Office staff in brackets) Total cost*£m. Percentage of net yield Year ending 31st March 1977 … … … 74,800† (9,950)† 354.4‡ 1.95‡ Year ended 31st March 1972 … … … 65,800 (7,070) 144.7 1.59 Year ended 31st March 1967 … … … 54,100 (5,820) 78.0 1.56 Year ended 31st March 1957 … … … 45,600 (5,290) 40.6 1.49 * Including apportioned costs of administration, and of costs borne by other departments; actual prices. † Actual figures at 1st February 1977. ‡ Figures for the year ended 31st March 1976. The percentage cost for 1976–77 is not strictly comparable with that for earlier years. From 1973–74, superannuation has been costed on an accrual basis instead of on the basis of cash expenditure; and from 1974–75 the cost of services provided by the Property Services Agency has been assessed on the basis of "market value" instead of "historic cost". It is estimated that these changes account for 0.18 per cent. of the 1.95 per cent. for 1975–76.