§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a decision has been made to relocate the remaining PAYE tax work currently carried out in London.
§ Mr. LilleyYes. As my hon. Friend will be aware, the majority of the Inland Revenue's PAYE work in the London area was removed to offices in other parts of the country in the 1960s and 1970s. This arrangement has provided a good service to taxpayers and has worked well over the years. On 24 July 1989 my predecessor announced at column542 the removal of a further 400 PAYE clerical and executive posts from the London area to other parts of the country in late 1989 pending a review of the future for the remaining posts. That review has now been completed and it has been decided to remove these remaining PAYE posts over the period from May 1990 to June 1992 to Bootle, East Kilbride, Llanishen (Cardiff), Middlesbrough. Salford and Sunderland. In total the relocation announced on 24 July and today involves some 1,600 posts.
2WThe Department intends to move the work and to redeploy existing staff in the London area, and will do everything possible to avoid any compulsory redundancy.
During the period in which the work is moved, the Department will ensure that any inconvenience to taxpayers and employers is minimised. Following the relocation, the Department expects to provide taxpayers and employers with a more efficient and effective service.
In order to maintain a service for those who need to make a personal visit to discuss their tax affairs, the existing network of local inquiry offices in the London area will be strengthened and enlarged where necessary.