HC Deb 05 November 1997 vol 300 c213W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the expenditure by(a) his Department, (b) its agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies, on (i) tax consultants and (ii) other external tax advice in (1) 1995–96, (2) 1996–97 and (3) 1997–98; and if he will make a statement. [13261]

Mr. Straw

Expenditure by the Department, its agencies and non departmental bodies (NDPBs), on tax consultants and other tax advice for the three years in question is:

1995–96 1996–97 1997–98
£ £ £
(a) Departmental
(i) Tax Consultants
(ii) Other 49,688 30,550 16,450
(b) Agencies
(i) Tax Consultants
(ii) Other 25,000
(c) NDPBs
(i) Tax Consultants 11,268 45,543 4,000
(ii) Other 42,475 36,672 38,070

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the policy of his Department on the purchase of tax avoidance advice; and if he will make a statement.[13262]

Mr. Straw

The Department's policy is not to use tax advisers for tax avoidance purposes. Such advisers may be used to assist the Department in meeting its statutory tax obligations.