HC Deb 09 November 1954 vol 532 c1038
43. Mr. Bowles

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the estimated annual loss to the Treasury through tax evasion.

Mr. R. A. Butler

The 96th Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue gives in paragraphs 76 and 77 the figures of tax recovered in recent years in respect of under-assessments of profits and in paragraph 87 the amounts of tax which proved irrecoverable for the latest year. No further information is available.

Mr. Bowles

In view of the fact that about £10 million arrears was recovered last year, is not the figure that the right hon. Gentleman knows of and has not yet been able to collect really about £100 million?

Mr. Butler

No, Sir. If the hon. Member examines the paragraphs to which I have drawn his attention, he will see that that is a very exaggerated figure.