HC Deb 06 August 1976 vol 916 cc1061-2W
Mr. Beith

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the Press officer of the Board of Inland Revenue is instructed or allowed to circulate Press notices concerning pending criminal trials involving alleged tax offences in which the full name and address of the accused, allegations made against him by the board,

(1) (2) (3)
VAT Receipts £ millions Current Taxes on Income and Wealth £ millions Column (1) as a percentage of column (2)
Belgium … … … … … 1,589 3,339 47.6
Denmark … … … … … 989 3,599 27.5
France … … … … … 10,264 8,453 121.4
Germany … … … … … 8,550 20,848 41.0
Ireland … … … … … 153 293 52.2
Italy … … … … … 3,387 4,229 80.1
Luxembourg … … … … … 39 159 24.5
Netherlands … … … … … 1,920 4,750 40.4
United Kingdom … … … … … 2,465 12,625 19.5

Notes:

(a) Source: Eurostat, Tax Statistics 1969–74, for countries other than United Kingdom.

(b) Foreign currencies have been converted to sterling at the average rates of exchange for 1974.

(c) "Current taxes on income and wealth" include central government taxes on personal and corporate income and capital gains, and, where applicable taxes on the capital or wealth of households and corporate bodies.

Mr. Dudley Smith

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people at the latest available estimate are liable for total yearly tax payments on earned income of (a) £3,000 or more, (b) £5,000 or more and (c) £10,000 a year or more.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

In the time available it has not proved possible to collate the information requested and I will write to the hon. Member.

Mr. Dudley Smith

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people currently pay more than half of their total gross yearly earnings in income tax.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

In the time available it has not proved possible to collate the information requested and I will write to the hon. Member.

and the place of the hearng are listed, even when no date for the case has been fixed.

Mr. Denzil Davies

It is the policy of the Board of Inland Revenue to seek publicity for criminal prosecutions it undertakes.