§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what estimate he has made of the current size of the black economy (a) overall and (b) in the construction industry;
(2) what information he has concerning the size of the black economy in each of the last 10 years;
(3) if he will estimate the total cost to the Exchequer in lost revenue of the black economy' in each of the last 10 years;
(4) if he will estimate the total cost to the Exchequer in lost revenue as a result of the black economy in the construction industry in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Norman LamontBy its nature, it is not possible to form any reliable estimate of the size of the black economy, or whether it is growing or contracting, either overall or in relation to the construction industry. I regret, therefore, that it is not possible reliably to estimate the cost in lost revenue attributable to the black economy.