HL Deb 28 June 1985 vol 465 c945WA
Lord Graham of Edmonton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any plans to reduce the total of unanswered items of post in income tax offices, which in April 1985 stood at 4,793,000 items, compared with 1,980,000 in April 1979.

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Arts (The Earl of Gowrie)

Inland Revenue management is taking all possible measures to reduce the number of unworked papers and is monitoring the position closely. At present, however, there are a number of exceptional factors which make substantial progress difficult.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in view of the 142 per cent. increase in the unanswered items of post in income tax offices since 1979, there are any plans to amend the targeted reduction in the number of staff employed in the Inland Revenue, which stood at 85,000 in 1979, is now 70,000 and is due to be reduced to 63,000 by 1988.

The Earl of Gowrie

The Inland Revenue's manpower needs are kept under review. Within the overall resources available to the department, additional help has been given to tax offices to help improve the current workstate.

Lord Graham of Edmonton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What proportion of unanswered post in income tax offices is (a) at least 14 days old and (b) at least two months old, and what were the respective proportions in 1983 and 1984.

The Earl of Gowrie

Items of post needing a reply are not separately identified. In April 1985, 43 per cent. of all unworked papers were over 14 days old and 4 per cent. over two months old, (1983 36 per cent. and 1 per cent. and 1984 31 per cent. and 2 per cent. respectively).