HC Deb 26 January 1993 vol 217 cc618-9W
Mr. Wigley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his estimate for the loss to the Exchequer due to the activities of the underground economy in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

Mr. Dorrell

Reliable estimates are not available.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will outline the measures taken by his Department to tackle the underground economy in the United Kingdom since 1986.

Mr. Dorrell

I refer the hon. Member to the chapter entitled "Deterring and tackling non-compliance" in the annual reports of the Board of Inland Revenue, which may be found in the House of Commons Library.

Mr. Wigley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to launch a commission of inquiry into the underground or ready-money economy in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Dorrell

The Government have no such plans. We do not believe that a commission of inquiry would add significantly to our knowledge and understanding of the "hidden economy".