§ Mr. Blairasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give details of the estimated extra number of Customs and Excise officials that will be required following the implementation of the Keith recommendations in the Finance Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeIt is confidently expected that the new provisions will secure a significant increase in trader compliance particularly as regards prompt furnishing of accurate returns and payment of the tax and this will result in staff savings. However, this will be offset by the considerable amount of work arising from appeals against penalties and surcharge. The numbers of appeals cannot be predicted with any confidence at this stage, but it is likely that by 1988–89 there will be a small net increase in staff.