§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any loss of revenue is involved in the system of "ghost workers" on Sunday newspapers and, if so, what is the extent of the loss, and what steps are being taken to stop it.
§ The SOLICITOR-GENERAL for SCOTLAND (Lord McCluskey)The Inland Revenue has nearly completed a review of the tax arrangements on the wages paid to casual workers in Fleet Street as a whole. It is clear that the present practices have involved some loss of revenue, but I regret that no reliable estimate of its extent is possible.
§ Lord HARRIS of GREENWICHasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, pursuant to the Written Answer given by the Minister of State, Privy Council Office on 24th January on casual workers in the newspaper industry, they will state when the Inland Revenue began their investigations and when it is expected that they will be completed.
§ Lord McCLUSKEYThe current review by the Inland Revenue began in the summer of last year and is nearly complete.