§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been imprisoned following prosecutions in connection with VAT offences; and what is the length of imprisonment to which each offender has been sentenced.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonSince the introduction of VAT 25 people have been sentenced to terms of imprisonment in connection with VAT offences. Individual sentences were as follows:
Length of sentences Number of offenders 6 months … … … 10—all suspended 9 months … … … 1—suspended 1 year … … … 7–6 suspended 2 years … … … 4 2½ years … … … 1—suspended 3 years … … … 1 4 years … … … 1