§ Mr. William Clarkasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the freephone facility provided by the Inland Revenue to certain employers in the London area.
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§ Mr. Peter ReesWhen the PAYE work of a number of London tax districts was transferred out of London in the 1960s, freephone facilities were provided for the benefit of the employers concerned. A lot more of this work has been moved from London since 1969, but the freephone service has not been extended. Instead, a network of PAYE inquiry offices has been established to which employers, employees and their agents have ready access.
The freephone service has become expensive, costing some £200,000 in 1978–79. Having regard, therefore, to the need for economy, the continuation of this service can no longer be justified.
The employers affected will, however, be able to use the inquiry offices in common with those whose PAYE was transferred from London after 1969.