Wrekin MP, Mark Pritchard, has praised HMRC staff in Shropshire and invited Treasury Minister, Mel Stride MP, to visit HMRC's "centre of excellence" in Telford.

Mr Pritchard said: "The Minister may have heard of Trump Plaza in Atlantic City which is now closed. But is he aware of Telford Plaza in the Borough of Telford and Wrekin which is very much open – and is now the largest letting in the last decade in Telford and Wrekin: 112,000 feet, over 13 floors, employing many many HMRC staff. Would he care to come and visit that centre of excellence when he can find time in his diary".

Responding to Mr Pritchard, Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General (Mel Stride MP): "I thank my Hon. Friend for his shameless promotion, and quite right too actually, of the properties in his constituency, and I would certainly be very happy to meet with him to discuss that particular element"

Mr Pritchard added: "HMRC staff provide a first class service. Civil servants and local private sector contractors do so much in keeping government revenues coming in so that public services can be paid for".

Hansard

Mark Pritchard MP: Thank you Mr. Speaker. The Minister may have heard of Trump Plaza in Atlantic City which is now closed. But is he aware of Telford Plaza in the Borough of Telford and Wrekin which is very much open – and is now the largest letting in the last decade in Telford and Wrekin: 112,000 feet, over 13 floors, employing many many HMRC staff. Would he care to come and visit that centre of excellence when he can find time in his diary?

Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General (Mel Stride MP): Well, Mr. Speaker, I thank my Hon. Friend for his shameless promotion, and quite right too actually, of the properties in his constituency, and I would certainly be very happy to meet with him to discuss that particular element.