Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what account his Department plans to take of the need to ensure religious balance when decisions are reached regarding potential forthcoming closures and staff redundancies in HM Revenue and Customs' offices in Northern Ireland.

HM Revenue and Customs has considered high level people and equality impacts, alongside its key location principles, as part of the decision-making process in determining the location of its future regional centres. The potential impacts on protected characteristic groups, as required by the Northern Ireland Equality legislation, have been incorporated in this approach and will continue to be considered throughout implementation.