§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken or intends to take to enable the Inland Revenue to exchange information with the Department of Social Security and other agencies to assist in the detection of fraud; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe Government's determination to detect fraud is reflected in existing arrangements for the Inland Revenue to share information with other Government Departments relevant to specific risks. Under plans announced in the Budget, the Inland Revenue will be exchanging more information with Customs and Excise, but the effectiveness of the inland Revenue's own work is largely dependent on its ability to obtain information from taxpayers. This information will be794W given more freely if taxpayers are assured that it will be treated as confidential. The need to provide privacy is extremely important to the Inland Revenue because it encourages openness by taxpayers in providing the fullest information on which the Revenue can base assessments of tax.