HC Deb 08 November 1973 vol 863 cc219-20W
Mr. Joel Barnett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the planned establishment of the Inland Revenue and the Customs and Excise, respectively; and what is the size of the shortfall.

Mr. Nott

The currently authorised complements of Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise are about 72,100 and 26,000 respectively. The staff in post are about 2,800 and 1,500 short of these figures.

Mr. Joel Barnett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he anticipates that the yield from income tax corporation tax, and customs and excise will be affected by the staff shortages; and, if there is no such effect, whether he is satisfied with the size of establishments.

Mr. Nott

It is not anticipated that the yield from income tax corporation tax and customs and excise will be affected by staff shortages. The adequacy of currently authorised establishments is kept under continuous review.

Mr. Joel Barnett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many hours of overtime are currently being worked by staffs of the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise; and how this compares with the same time in each of the last 10 years.

Mr. Nott

In September 1973, Customs and Excise staff worked 301,694 hours of overtime, and in the quarter July- September 1973 Inland Revenue staff worked approximately 250,000 hours of overtime. Annual totals for the 10 financial years up to 1972–73 were:

OVERTIME HOURS
Financial Year Customs and Excise Inland Revenue
1963–64 2,834,821 850,000
1964–65 3,065,454 440,000
1965–66 4,022,994 800,000
1966–67 4,020,034 1,070,000
1967–68 3,798,665 2,100,000
1968–69 3,444,924 1,900,000
1969–70 3,143,031 2,800,000
1970–71 3,378,347 3,000,000
1971–72 3,782,130 3,100,000
1972–73 3,697,001 2,400,000