HC Deb 01 March 1985 vol 74 cc329-30W
Mr. Pike

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 February, Official Report, column 402, on what dates the last two reviews of arrangements for emergency staffing in the Inland Revenue took place.

Mr. Moore

[pursuant to his reply, 28 February 1985, c. 261]: When the present standing arrangements were introduced in January 1979, it was provided that any material changes in the numbers of essential staff requiring emergency heating and lighting would be notified as they occurred to the Property Services Agency. There have however been so many changes in Revenue offices in recent years that it was deemed advisable to re-issue the instructions relating to essential staff. This was done in January 1985.

Mr. Pike

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 February, Official Report, column 402, whether the arrangements for emergency staff in the Inland Revenue are reviewed at national or regional level in so far as they affect district offices.

Mr. Moore

[pursuant to his reply, 28 February 1985, c. 261]; Instructions on the calculation of numbers of essential staff in connection with the provision of emergency heating and lighting are issued by regional offices.

Mr. Pike

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 18 February, Official Report, column 402, why the regional controller, north-west. Inland Revenue, in a letter to district officers referred to staff levels in an emergency such as a dispute in the power industry leading to electricity cuts or a tanker drivers; strike.

Mr. Moore

[pursuant to his reply, 28 February 1985, c. 261]: All Inland Revenue offices have standing instructions, dating from January 1979, to follow in the event of an emergency. These include the determination of essential staffing levels requiring emergency heating and lighting in the event of interruptions to power supplies.