§ Mr. Spellerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the grade of officer who may receive some form of commission or other payment for success in collecting overdue taxes; how much has been paid in each of the past five years for which figures are available; what was the highest individual sum paid; and if he will make a statement on his policy regarding such payment by results.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[pursuant to his reply, 9 March 1987]: No grade of officer receives payment of commission or other payment simply on the basis of success in collecting overdue taxes. Like all other departments the Inland Revenue has an experimental performance bonus scheme for senior staff of grade 3 (under-secretary) down to grade 7 (principal and equivalent grades) and all staff of these grades, whatever their duties, are eligible.
The scheme has been running for two years. The total amount to be awarded for 1986–87 is £508,740 and in 1985–86 the total was £509,500. The highest award payable under the scheme in both years was £1,100.