HC Deb 21 January 1991 vol 184 cc11-2W
Mr. Maxton

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money Her Majesty's Government estimate has been lost in the latest year for which comparable figures are available as a result of fraudulent tax claims and fraudulent social security claims; and how many persons have been successfully prosecuted, respectively, in Scotland.

Mr. Maude

Reliable estimates are not available of the cost of fraudulent tax or social security claims.

In the year 1989–90 in Scotland the number of persons successfully prosecuted by the Inland Revenue in respect of false accounts or returns, and false claims to personal allowances, deductions for expenses or repayments, was three.

In the year 1989–90 in Scotland the number of persons successfully prosecuted by the Department of Social Security for social security fraud was 906.

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