§ 69. Mr. Houghtonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions have been issued by the Board of Inland Revenue regarding the working of overtime in local inspectors' offices during the summer; why no consultation took place with the Staff Side before these instructions went out; what is the estimated extent and cost of the overtime to be worked between now and September; what makes it necessary; and whether he will ensure that officers who are taking the Inland Revenue Staff Federation's Taxation Course at their own expense and in their own time, are exempted from this interruption of their studies for the diploma examination in November, and that other personal reasons for desiring relief from overtime are respected.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterSupervising officers have been told that overtime may be authorised as necessary to deal with additional work this year of repaying Post-War Credits and are now making arrangements with tax offices. Provisionally, overtime between now and September is estimated at an average of 35 hours for each tax officer if every tax officer had to do it. So far as possible, however, overtime will be voluntary. The 135W estimated cost is between £80,000 and £100,000.
The Staff Side has been kept informed of the need for extra duty. Consultation about detailed arrangements for overtime working will take place locally in accordance with the usual practice, and account will be taken as far as possible of the personal circumstances of individual officers.