§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the reasons for the closure of the district valuation office in Wakefield and outline the steps taken to inform the public of this proposal prior to closure.
§ Mr. Dorrell[holding answer 22 May 1992]: The Wakefield valuation office closed on 30 September 1991, upon merger with the Doncaster valuation office.
The merger was effected as part of the valuation office restructuring programme announced in 1989, to address the loss of domestic rating and the loss of 1,000 posts associated with that function.
The operational needs of the branch with the personnel considerations of the staff involved were met by a merged office, located in Doncaster. Local professional practices were advised of the transfer of work as were members of the public who were in correspondence with the office during the preceding four weeks. Arrangements have been made for mail to be redirected for 12 months and telephone directories amended.