§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what were the main reasons for the number of Inland Revenue staff actually employed falling below the authorised staff numbers in 1982.
§ Mr. Ridley[pursuant to his reply, 20 January 1983, c. 182]: There were two main reasons for this slight shortfall. First, work loads in certain areas fell at a somewhat faster rate than estimated. Second, some difficulties were experienced in filling vacancies in certain grades.
The situation has now changed, and the gap—never much over 1 per cent—was reduced by 1 January 1983 to about 0.6 per cent. of the Department's staff.
§ Mr. Woolmerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the average monthly shortfall between the Inland 236W Revenue authorised staff numbers and the number actually in post over the period 1 May 1982 to 31 December 1982; and what was the average monthly saving on the salaries bill as a result of any shortfall.
§ Mr. Ridley[pursuant to his reply, 20 January 1983, c. 182]: About 720 and £400,000.