§ Ms CoffeyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what consultations he is undertaking into the proposed closure of the LP30 income tax office in Stockport and the LP12 and LP13 offices in Old Trafford and their relocation to Manchester; and what estimate he has made of the(a) cost and (b) savings from relocation. [18973]
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 5 March 1996]: The Inland Revenue is engaged in a programme to reorganise the structure of all local tax and collection offices to ensure the right operational framework is in place to deliver its business objectives. As part of this programme, the controller of Inland Revenue north-west regional office is looking at all London provincial tax offices in the Greater Manchester area together to rationalise accommodation and form a coherent reorganisation package.
Private finance initiative options are under consideration but further detailed work is required before a final decision can be made. Preliminary indications are that the proposed reorganisation will offer significant financial savings as well as providing opportunities to provide a better quality service to the taxpayer and improve the working environment of staff.