§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list all organisations or states covered by sovereign immunity and the date this was granted.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[holding answer 28 June 1988]: The Inland Revenue's obligations of confidentiality prevent the disclosure of any information concerning the tax affairs, or tax status, of any individual, company or other entity.
§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total amount of tax refunded to states or organisations granted sovereign immunity in each year since 1979; and what proportion of that amount has been paid to the five largest organisations.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[holding answer 28 June 1988]: I regret that figures are not readily available for all the years requested. In the year to 31 March 1988, tax of approximately £119 million was refunded to sovereign immune bodies; the five largest recipients accounted for 87 per cent. of the total repayment. In the previous year, the figures were £108 million and 89 per cent. respectively.