Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, which documents relating to the HM Revenue and Customs lease for its Waverley Gate premises in Edinburgh were signed during the purdah period before the General Election in 2017.

On 26 May HMRC exchanged on the agreement for lease for New Waverley Place. In line with purdah guidance, HMRC sought and followed Cabinet Office advice before making this commitment.

The decision to move HMRC jobs to the Edinburgh regional centre was announced in November 2015. No decisions were made on moving jobs to the Edinburgh Regional Centre during purdah.

As part of wider business planning, meetings to discuss the moves have taken place regularly since November 2015.