§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many successful winding-up petitions have been served by (a) the Inland Revenue and (b) Her Majesty's Customs and Excise on companies for each of the last 10 years in respect of unpaid taxes.
§ Mr. MooreThe number of compulsory winding-up petitions presented by the Inland Revenue and Customs in the last 10 years was:
Inland Revenue Customs and Excise 1974 183 91 1975 283 216 1976 255 421 1977 397 478 1978 332 586 1979 369 895 1980 445 1,061 1981 288 233 1982 408 838 1983 512 1,230 The number of winding-up orders made in each of these years was:
Inland Revenue Customs and Excise 1974 114 n/a 1975 197 175 1976 192 330 1977 287 368 1978 222 503 1979 273 544 1980 314 879 1981 237 185 1982 337 632 1983 444 926 Figures are not available to show the tax recovered in these cases.