§ Mr. OnslowTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive the Inland Revenue's review of the tax problems experienced by temporary office staff; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Norman LamontAlthough I have not asked the Inland Revenue to review the taxation of temporary office staff, the Department is considering whether improvements may be possible to alleviate problems in the operation of PAYE which can be experienced by agency workers, agencies and the Inland Revenue. These problems stem from the difficulty of maintaining cumulation for employees who undertake a number of short-term engagements in quick succession. There are no easy solutions but the Revenue will be taking a number of steps to try to improve matters. These will include publicity emphasising the need for timely provision of national insurance numbers; and seeking better liaison between tax offices and agencies.