§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the estimated figure of tax evasion in 1982 in the United Kingdom; how much of this amount was recovered after investigation by officials in his Department; and if he will separate the Scottish figure from the totals in each case.
§ Mr. Moore[pursuant to his reply, 2 July 1984, c.13]: The total amount recovered as a result of investigations by the Inland Revenue in the year to 31 October 1982 was £265.6 million of which the proportion attributable to Scotland was £27.46 million. The Scottish figure is the amount recovered by Inland Revenue offices in Scotland and may relate, in part, to taxpayers from elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
The nature of tax evasion is such that, in relation to the direct taxes, it is not possible to make any firm estimate of the amount of tax lost through it.