§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to review the network of Inland Revenue offices; and if he will make a statement. [3548]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Inland Revenue has now completed four years of its 10 year programme to restructure its network of local offices. Ministers together with the Board of Inland Revenue are currently considering how to take the programme forward.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the terms of the leases of Inland Revenue offices which are undergoing closure; and what penalty clauses will apply if the new office structure plan goes ahead. [4903]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Inland Revenue has offices in hundreds of buildings throughout the United Kingdom. Some buildings are Crown property, others are leasehold and the terms of each occupation are the subject of separate negotiation and agreement. The costs, including any penalties for vacating premises ahead of lease breaks are always fully taken into account as part of the overall appraisal.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the conclusions of the new office structure plan phase 3 for Inland Revenue offices will be published; and if he will make a statement. [4904]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Inland Revenue has embarked on a major programme of change which includes restructuring its local office network over a number of years. The restructuring programme, which is scheduled to take 10 years to complete, is now in its fifth year. Ministers are currently considering with the Board of the Inland Revenue how to take the programme forward.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Inland Revenue offices have been refurbished; and what has been the total cost to public funds under the inland Revenue new office structure plan of the(a) closure and (b) transfer of offices. [4907]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Inland Revenue's programme to restructure its network of local offices was designed to be implemented in three stages from January 1993 to around 2002. When implementation of the second stage is completed during 1998, some 167 new-style offices will have replaced 387 old-style offices. The total cost of 111W setting up these 167 new-style offices, all of which will be in new or refurbished accommodation, will be £107 million. Set against these costs, the programme will have delivered running cost savings reaching £35 million per annum in 1997–98 rising to about £50 million per annum by 2002.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the savings and costs identified under the Inland Revenue new office structure plan phase 3 in respect of the(a) Penzance, (b) Launceston, (c) Barnstaple and Bideford, (d) Truro, (e) Torquay, Newton Abbot and Paignton, (f) Wells, (g) Frome and (h) Bridgewater offices; and if he will list the criteria used in each office to identify costs and savings. [4906]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Inland Revenue has embarked on a major programme of change which includes restructuring its local office network over a number of years. The restructuring programme, which is scheduled to take 10 years to complete, is now in its fifth year. Ministers are currently considering with the Board of Inland Revenue how to take the programme forward. A full investment appraisal in accordance with normal Treasury rules will be required before detailed individual proposals can he considered for approval.
§ Mr. HarveyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the proposals contained in the new office structure plan phase 3 currently before the Board of Inland Revenue can proceed in instances where changes produce negative savings. [4905]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Inland Revenue has embarked on a major programme of change which includes restructuring its local office network over a number of years. The programme, which is scheduled to take 10 years to complete, is now in its fifth year. At the outset, the Board of Inland Revenue agreed with Ministers that the overall programme should deliver a high rate of financial return.