HC Deb 17 October 1972 vol 843 cc4-5W
Mr. Joel Barnett

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take action to stop local Collectors of Taxes calling on taxpayers and leaving slips of paper, not in an envelope, indicating exactly how much tax is owed; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nott

The confidential nature of information relating to tax liability is impressed upon all Collectors of Taxes.

When a Collector of Taxes makes a personal call and fails to see the taxpayer, any note of a confidential nature is placed in a sealed envelope and delivered to a responsible person at the taxpayer's address. Where no answer can be obtained and a further call is not practicable the sealed envelope is placed in the letter box.

If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind and will let me have details I will look into it.