§ Mr. KnoxTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many prosecutions there were in each of the past 11 years for tax evasion; and how many of these resulted in convictions.
§ Mr. Norman LamontInformation concerning the Inland Revenue is available only in respect of the number of persons prosecuted. The details are:
Number of persons prosecuted Number of persons convicted 1976–77 326 317 1977–78 172 166 1978–79 188 180 1979–80 150 142 1980–81 189 172 1981–82 176 146 1982–83 142 134 1983–84 159 148 1984–85 239 233 1985–86 321 309 1986–87 326 314 These figures include convictions obtained by the police for tax frauds in connection with the construction industry tax deduction scheme. The numbers relating to this category were:
67W
Number 1976–77 149 1977–78 48 1978–79 22 1979–80 10 1980–81 15 1981–82 7 1982–83 3 1983–84 5 1984–85 8 1985–86 63 1986–87 89 These figures supersede those supplied in written replies to my hon. Friend on 25 July 1986 at columns 662–3 and to the hon. Member for Tyne Bridge (Mr. Clelland) on 2 March 1987 at columns 521.
The details in respect of VAT prosecutions are:
Prosecutions Convictions 1976–77 77 76 1977–78 142 135 1978–79 107 103 1979–80 95 86 1980–81 100 97 1981–82 98 94 1982–83 124 123 1983–84 145 142 1984–85 165 158 1985–86 238 231 1986–87 196 189