§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the expenditure by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, on (i) tax consultants and (ii) other external tax advice in (1) 1995–96, (2) 1996–97 and (3) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [13261]
§ Mr. StrawExpenditure by the Department, its agencies and non departmental bodies (NDPBs), on tax consultants and other tax advice for the three years in question is:
1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 £ £ £ (a) Departmental (i) Tax Consultants — — — (ii) Other 49,688 30,550 16,450 (b) Agencies (i) Tax Consultants — — — (ii) Other — 25,000 — (c) NDPBs (i) Tax Consultants 11,268 45,543 4,000 (ii) Other 42,475 36,672 38,070
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of his Department on the purchase of tax avoidance advice; and if he will make a statement.[13262]
§ Mr. StrawThe Department's policy is not to use tax advisers for tax avoidance purposes. Such advisers may be used to assist the Department in meeting its statutory tax obligations.