HC Deb 09 March 1993 vol 220 cc502-3W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the numbers and grades of staff employed to investigate and pursue corporate tax fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dorrell

Approximately 400 Inland Revenue staff units are engaged in the investigation of possible or actual corporate tax fraud. This work is carried out by all grades of inspector of taxes up to and including the rank of principal inspector.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much tax has been recovered in cases of corporate tax fraud in 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92; how many cases were involved each year, and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dorrell

It is impossible to distinguish fraud cases, but the approximate amounts of tax recovered in cases of possible or actual fraudulent or negligent conduct by companies, and the numbers of cases, in the years 1989–90, 1991–92 were as follows:

Cases Tax £ million
1989–90 3,248 122
1990–91 3,410 128
1991–92 3,913 162