§ Sir Raymond PowellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated financial impact of reductions in the number of Inland Revenue staff in 1998–99; what consultation with trades unions took place on this matter; and what assessment he has made of the impact of staff reductions on the Revenue's capacity to deal with self-assessment of taxation. [38068]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Inland Revenue has no plans to reduce staff numbers during 1998–99. Existing staffing plans, drawn up before the Budget, indicate that employee numbers will remain broadly level, at just under 50,000, over the course of the year. This has been discussed with union representatives. Adequate numbers of trained people are in place to deal with Self Assessment.