Tax Evasion (Prosecutions)

HC Deb 25 November 1987 vol 123 cc227-8W

Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been prosecuted for tax evasion since May 1979.

Mr. Norman Lamont

[holding answer 23 November 1987]: The details in respect of the Inland Revenue for the financial years from 1 April 1979 are:

Number of persons prosecuted
Year	Number
1979–80	150
1980–81	189
1981–82	176
1982–83	142
1983–84	159
1984–85	239
1985–86	321
1986–87	326

These figures include successful prosecutions by the police for tax frauds in connection with the construction industry tax deduction scheme. The numbers relating to this category were:

Year	Number
1979–80	10
1980–81	15
1981–82	7
1982–83	3
1983–84	5
1984–85	8
1985–86	63
1986–87	89

The details for VAT prosecutions from the financial year beginning 1 April 1979, which do not include prosecutions of companies or other legal persons, are:

Number of persons prosecuted
Year	Number
1979–80	127
1980–81	133
1981–82	131
1982–83	195
1983–84	214
1984–85	260
1985–86	379
1986–87	299