§ 22. Mr. Ashleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of those found to be evading taxes in the last financial year were prosecuted.
§ Mr. DiamondIn 1964–65 there were 94 prosecutions for false accounts, false returns and false claims to allowances. In the same year 12,405 cases of underassessment were settled by the payment of tax and penalties. The criteria are different and percentages or proportions would be misleading.
§ Mr. AshleyIn view of that Answer and as this year a man was sent to prison for seven months because he defrauded to the extent of £175, whilst others who have defrauded to the extent of thousands of £s have gone scot-free, would the Chief Secretary agree that the system of selecting cases for prosecution is grossly unfair and needs revision?
§ Mr. DiamondNo, I could not accept that for one moment. If my hon. Friend would care to send to me details of the one case he has in mind, I would be glad to be of what help I properly can.
§ 23. Mr. Ashleyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of those found guilty of evading taxes in the last financial year were concerned with land deals.
§ Mr. DiamondI regret that this information is not available.