HC Deb 19 June 1986 vol 99 c631W
Mr. Meadowcroft

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will state the number of staff in the Treasury assigned to uncover tax evasion and related fraud, in each of the years 1979–80 to 1985–86;

(2) what was the estimated cost to the Exchequer of tax evasion and related fraud, in the years 1979–80 to 1985–86, in each tax bracket;

(3) what was the average sum involved in tax evasion cases in 1984–85; and in those cases investigated what was the average amount of money recovered;

(4) how many Inland Revenue staff are based in Leeds, and how many of these are assigned to detecting and investigating tax evasion and related fraud;

(5) how many cases of tax evasion in Leeds have been prosecuted over the past five years; and what was the average amount of money involved;

(6) if he will publish his assessment of the incidence of tax evasion as a proportion of total numbers of tax payers in the years 1979–80 to 1985–86;

(7) if he will state the number of tax evasion and related fraud cases resulting in prosecution in 1984–85 and the number of prosecutions as a proportion of the total number of cases discovered.

Mr. Norman Lamont

I shall let the hon. Member have replies as soon as possible.