HC Deb 19 January 2004 vol 416 cc1025-6W
Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of Inland Revenue inquiry offices have textphone or similar communication aids. [148382]

Dawn Primarolo

All Inland Revenue inquiry offices are registered with the BT Typetalk service.

Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many home visits were conducted by Inland Revenue employees in each of the last five years to provide advice to those incapable of reaching an office. [148383]

Dawn Primarolo

The Inland Revenue does not keep a central record of the total number of such visits going back over the last five years. The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to establish a disabilities helpline in the Inland Revenue for(a) tax payers and (b) voluntary sector intermediaries who need access to information on disability issues. [148384]

Dawn Primarolo

At present the Inland Revenue has no plans to establish a disabilities helpline. Advisers in our telephone contact centres are trained to deal with telephone calls from the full range of taxpayers. We believe that this provides a cost effective approach to meeting taxpayer needs and the flexibility to respond to the differing requirements of our taxpayer base.

Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of public Inland Revenue offices are equipped with equipment to aid those with hearing impediments. [148386]

Dawn Primarolo

When last audited in early 2002, out of a total of 323 of Inland Revenue inquiry offices providing a face to face service, 86 per cent. had portable loop systems and 27 per cent. of them had fixed induction loop systems. We are in the process of carrying out another audit.

In spring 2003 Inland Revenue introduced a set of national standards for their inquiry offices specifying that they be equipped with a fixed and portable induction loop system, and a crystal listening device. They are progressing to all of their inquiry centres meeting this standard.

Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of Inland Revenue frontline staff have received training on disability issues. [148387]

Ruth Kelly

All new members of staff receive disability awareness material as part of the Revenue's induction process. In addition during the last three years 22,752 staff (over 32 per cent. of total staff) have attended a training course specifically covering disability issues.

During the same period over 90 per cent. of staff have received diversity awareness training which included disability related issues.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue office in Chorley is equipped with equipment to aid those with hearing impediments. [149168]

Dawn Primarolo

Chorley Inland Revenue Enquiry Office is equipped with portable induction loop equipment.