§ Mr. Trotterasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the number of staff in the Inland Revenue and the Customs and Excise increased by 4,719 and 4,414, respectively, between 1st April 1974 and 1st November 1975; what is the percentage increase in each case; and whether a ban has now been placed on any further increase in the staff numbers.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe main reasons for the increase of staff are, for Her Majesty's Customs and Excise, the requirements of VAT administration and control, and additional EEC ports traffic; and for the Inland Revenue, growth in68W the overall number of taxpayers and in the number liable at other than the basic rate of income tax, build-up of work on the reconstructed National Insurance Scheme, and new work arising from the Finance and Finance (No. 2) Acts, 1975.
The increases are 17 .7 per cent. and 6.1 per cent., respectively.
On the last part of the hon. Member's Question, the Boards of Customs and Excise and of Inland Revenue will continue to employ the minimum staff they need to carry out the responsibilities placed upon them by Parliament.