§ Mr. Lathamasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the letters sent to Mr. W. F. Doody of Direct Cosmetics Ltd of Oakham dated 28 April and 20 May by Mr. G. R. Burgess of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise advising Mr. Doody to take Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to court were sent with his authority; and on how many other occasions in 1986 officials of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise have written to taxpayers advising them to undertake litigation against Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. Brooke[pursuant to his reply, 24 November 1986]: The advice was given to draw attention to Mr. Doody's right to an impartial review and was intended to be helpful. No authority to advise in this way was required. I regret that information on the number of occasions similar advice has been given is not available.