§ Mrs. GormanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the cost of running the Inland Revenue's valuation offices in England and Wales; and what is the expected reduction in(a) cost and (b) staff in the valuation offices as a result of introducing the community charge.
§ Mr. LilleyThe cost of running the valuation offices in England and Wales for the current financial year 1989–90 is £125 million.
(a) When all outstanding domestic rating work has been cleared, the reduction in annual cost, in real terms, as a result of introducing the community charge is expected to be of the order of £17 million;
(b) £17 million represents a saving of about 1,300 clerical staff.