HC Deb 21 July 1978 vol 954 cc425-6W
Mr. Hayhoe

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will list and take steps to publicise the Inland Revenue free phone numbers that are available for those living in Hounslow, Brentford, Isle-worth and Chiswick who wish to raise queries about their income tax.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

A free-phone service is provided for the use of employers dealt with by the following tax districts:

  • London Provincial 1-XI
  • Crewe 2 (London)
  • Exeter 4 (London)
  • Plymouth 2 (London)
  • Sheffield 6 (London)
  • Sheffield 7 (London)
  • Stoke 4 (London)

The service is intended solely for the use of such employers and it would not be appropriate to publish the relevant telephone numbers; each employer concerned was notified of his "free-phone" code number at the time of transfer of his PAYE work out of London.

The service has not been extended since 1969 on account of cost. Instead, as was explained to hon. Members in the debate on PAYE inquiry facilities on 15th July 1971—[Vol. 821, c. 888],—the Inland Revenue has provided a network of inquiry offices to which employers, employees and their agents can address their inquiries.

There are PAYE inquiry officers in Brentford and Hounslow and a complete list of these offices is published in the London telephone directory under Inland Revenue.