HC Deb 19 January 1993 vol 217 cc143-4W
Mr. Bennett

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been spent up to 31 December 1992 on preparation for privatisation of parts and the whole of the Inland Revenue's operation.

Mr. Dorrell

In the present financial year, the costs to date of market testing activities in the Inland Revenue are around £1.3 million. Estimates of the costs for earlier years are not readily available, but would be much smaller.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement outlining Her Majesty's Government's detailed plans for reform of the Inland Revenue and the time scale over which any changes are expected to occur.

Mr. Dorrell

[holding answer 18 January 1993]: The Revenue's change programme was first announced by the Chancellor in his statement of 6 March 1992 Official Report, column 323–25, and further details appeared in the Board of Inland Revenue's report for the year ending 31 March 1992 (Cm. 2086) and the first report of the citizens charter (Cm. 2101). The Revenue's management plan, due for publication in the spring, will set out the Department's main aims and objectives over the period to 1996–97.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate Her Majesty's Government have made of the reduction in the number of smaller and more rural Inland Revenue offices in the event of changes being made in the way the Inland Revenue conducts its duties.

Mr. Dorrell

[holding answer 18 January 1993]: The Inland Revenue is reviewing the organisation and structure of its local offices with the aim of increasing the quality of service to taxpayers and the efficiency of the operations. Any changes would take place over a number of years, following consultation with staff, and no estimate has yet been made of the number of smaller and more rural offices needed.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consideration has been given to the need to maintain the guarantee of confidentiality in the course of any changes in the way the work of the Inland Revenue is conducted.

Mr. Dorrell

[holding answer 18 January 1993]: We recognise the importance of this issue. If work is contracted out, there are two safeguards. The first is that all relevant contracts contain provisions obliging contractors to make all necessary arrangements to protect the privacy of personal information. The second is that contractors and their employees are subject, in the same way as Revenue employees, to the criminal sanctions—a fine, or imprisonment, or both—provided by section 182 of the Finance Act 1989, for unauthorised disclosure of personal tax information.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what representations he has received on the Government's intention to subject the work currently undertaken by the Inland Revenue to market testing;

(2) what consultations he has had with interested parties regarding plans to introduce market testing to the work currently undertaken by the Inland Revenue.

Mr. Dorrell

[holding answer 18 January 1993]: We have received a number of representations about the market testing of services in the Inland Revenue; officials have held discussions with trade unions representing staff in the Department and with other interested parties.