asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is satisfied with the efficiency of management in Inland Revenue south-west region; and what are the reasons for the present state of work in the tax offices of that region.

Yes. In most of the 39 tax offices in the south-west region, the state of work does not give cause for special concern. In some offices there are serious arrears; these are mainly attributable to the loss of trained staff, and in some instances also to transitional problems caused by reorganisation.