To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of redundancies arising from the proposed closure of the HM Revenue and Customs offices at (a) Regian House, Liverpool, (b) Dukes House, Southport and (c) Birchen House, Birkenhead. (256520)

HMRC announced the planned closure of these three offices in February 2008. While we cannot rule out compulsory redundancies, our aim is to avoid them as far as is reasonably possible, and there have been none so far.

We have set up implementation teams to consider when and how to implement closures and other office changes. They will seek a solution for each member of staff affected, with the first choice being to transfer to another HMRC office. The teams will consult with staff and local unions and advise and support managers and staff affected by planned closures.