HC Deb 26 January 2004 vol 417 cc111-3W
Mr. Goodman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what section of the Inland Revenue is responsible for co-ordinating the activities of the Inland Revenue in relation to people with disabilities. [150411]

Dawn Primarolo

The Inland Revenue co-ordinates its activities in relation to people with disabilities through two sections: services for taxpayers with disabilities are co-ordinated by a team in Service Delivery; the Human Resources section co-ordinates activities and services relating to the employment of people with disabilities. The Inland Revenue also has a full time specialist disability adviser who supports both areas and works with external disability organisations.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to appoint a disabilities champion to take responsibility for the Inland Revenue's service delivery to people with disabilities. [150412]

Dawn Primarolo

A member of the Board of the Commissioner of the Inland Revenue has already been appointed as a consumer champion and as such covers a wide range of service delivery areas, including service to people with disabilities.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received in relation to the definition of an incapacitated person used in tax and VAT legislation; and if he will make a statement. [150413]

Dawn Primarolo

The Government have received a number of representations on a wide variety of subjects, including a report from the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group on disability and the tax system, which included representations on this specific issue.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what measures are taken by the Inland Revenue to advertise home visits for those with disabilities(a) in leaflets and (b) on the Inland Revenue website. [150414]

Dawn Primarolo

Inland Revenue are currently developing a strategy to promote their home visits arrangements to the target groups that will include information on the internet and in leaflets.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Inland Revenue has a disabilities helpline; and if he will make a statement. [150416]

Dawn Primarolo

At present the Inland Revenue has no plans to establish a disabilities helpline. Advisers in our telephone contact centres are trained to deal with telephone calls from the full range of our taxpayers. We believe that this approach provides the flexibility to respond to the differing requirements of our taxpayers base.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether all Inland Revenue offices have textphone or similar communication aids. [150418]

Dawn Primarolo

All Inland Revenue Enquiry Offices are registered with the BTTypetalk service.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what equipment is available in Inland Revenue offices open to the public for those with hearing difficulties. [150419]

Dawn Primarolo

When last audited in early 2002, out of a total of 323 of Inland Revenue Enquiry Offices providing a face to face service, 86 per cent. had portable loop systems and 27 per cent. of them had fixed induction loop systems. We are in the process of carrying out another audit.

In spring 2003 Inland Revenue introduced a set of national standards for their Enquiry Offices specifying that they be equipped with a fixed and portable induction loop system, and a crystal listening device. They are progressing to all of their Enquiry Centres meeting this standard.

Mr. Goodman

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what training is given to frontline Inland Revenue staff in dealing with people with disabilities. [150422]

Dawn Primarolo

All new members of staff receive disability awareness material as part of the Inland Revenue's induction process.

During the last three years over 90 per cent. of staff have received diversity awareness training which includes disability related issues.

In addition, individual staff are nominated for training courses according to the requirements of their role and 22,752 staff have attended a training course specifically covering disability issues over the last three years.