§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action the Government intend to take against tax avoidance schemes; and if he will make a statement. [19955]
§ Mr. Gordon Brown[holding answer 10 December 1997]: The Government are determined to stem tax leakage by detecting, deterring and defeating tax avoidance. The last Budget included a package of anti-avoidance measures, and more are likely to be announced in the next Budget. Since the summer, the Inland Revenue have been carrying out a wide-ranging review of avoidance. Both the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise are also looking at the possibility of introducing a General Anti-Avoidance Rule.