MP CRITICISES HER MAJESTY'S REVENUE AND CUSTOMS (HMRC) DURING WELSH QUESTIONS (Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats)

Cymraeg
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Brecon and Radnorshire Liberal Democrats <info@brecon-radnor-libdems.org.uk>

MP CRITICISES HER MAJESTY'S REVENUE AND CUSTOMS (HMRC) DURING WELSH QUESTIONS

April 3, 2008 1:15 PM

Roger Williams has been very disappointed with HMRC's decision to close the Brecon Tax Office by 2011 but there was a consolation that some jobs may be available in the Merthyr Office, particularly for those Brecon workers who would find it difficult to relocate to Cardiff for family and other reasons.

Now HMRC announce that the 40 remaining jobs in Merthyr will be further reduced by removing two streams of work to Cardiff.

Mr Williams said:

"During Welsh Questions I said that HMRC had broken faith with the Merthyr workers but this had had a knock-on effect for the Brecon employees who might have wished to work in Merthyr when their jobs came to an end.

"Paul Murphy MP, Secretary of State for Wales, sympathised because he has a HMRC office in his constituency and I shall be writing to him again on this matter.

"I was supported by the MP for Merthyr, Dai Havard, who questioned the Secretary of State on the Merthyr Office closure."

NOTES:

The questions asked by Roger Williams MP and Dai Havard MP are as follows.

Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire, Liberal Democrat) Link to this | Hansard source

In terms of employment, the public sector is very important in Wales, yet within the space of three weeks Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs has broken faith with its employees in Merthyr by announcing further cuts in employment and transferring more jobs to Cardiff. That will have a knock-on effect in Brecon, where the branch is to close in 2011 and many of the employees wished to transfer to Merthyr. How can the staff and customers of HMRC have any faith in its plans when they are changed on such a short-term and arbitrary basis? Will the Secretary of State intervene on behalf of the staff and the public?

Paul Murphy (Secretary of State, Wales Office) Link to this | Hansard source

I understand and sympathise with the points that the hon. Gentleman makes with regard to HMRC. As he knows, I have an HMRC office in my constituency, and I understand the importance of employment, particularly in what used to be called objective 1 areas and are now convergence fund areas. Certainly, I will continue discussing the matter with the relevant Ministers in the Treasury. The hon. Gentleman will understand, though, that over recent years well over 3,000 jobs in the public sector have come to Wales. That is important not just for the areas that he and I represent, but all over Wales.

Dai Havard (Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney, Labour) Link to this | Hansard source

It was expected that the office in Merthyr would remain in its current form until 2011. My concern, which I would like my right hon. Friend to express to his colleagues in Government and see how he can assist, is about how the consultation has been carried out. The expectation has now been changed in an arbitrary fashion, without the necessary consultation. I would like my right hon. Friend to assist, if he can, in trying to rectify that position.

Paul Murphy (Secretary of State, Wales Office) Link to this | Hansard source

I understand my hon. Friend's position. He can rest assured that I will put his points to my colleagues at the Treasury.