Farron asks Chancellor to back Kendal Tax Office

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Jun 2008

Local MP Tim Farron questioned the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling after he made his statement to the House of Commons on the lost data discs last November on the proposed closure of the HM Revenue and Customs office in Kendal. Mr Darling stated that the discs, containing personal data on millions of people, were lost because of 'cultural' failings.

The HMRC office in Kendal has been slated for closure under a Government consultation, and Mr Farron is campaigning against the closure and will present a petition to the Commons next week.

Mr Farron asked the Chancellor if he thought that the culture of HMRC offices is improved as the threat of closure hangs over them. The Chancellor refused to comment on individual cases.

After the statement, Mr Farron said:

"I wanted the Chancellor to acknowledge that closure plans of such excellent facilities only exacerbate the cultural failings that he identified, but unfortunately he ducked the specific issue.

"This consultation is demoralising for staff who work incredibly hard and do a very good job helping many local businesses to be able to pay the correct tax. I hope the Government will suspend the closure plans."