§ Mr. McAllionTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent by his Department to prevent tax evasion in each year since 1979, in cash and real terms, at 1987–88 prices.
§ Mr. Norman Lamont[holding answer 9 June 1988]: The estimated cost of resources devoted by the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise to preventing tax evasion was as follows:
319Wfigure is also not strictly comparable to those for later years.
The Customs and Excise figures relate to the overall cost of VAT control officers and specialist staff employed in VAT fraud investigation. Control officers deal mainly with legitimate traders but equally have a duty to pursue VAT fraud. The 1987–88 figure is provisional.