HC Deb 05 November 1997 vol 300 c219W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Health 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. [13267]

Ms Jowell

The Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) have spent the following on

1995–96 1996–97 1997–98
£ £ Estimated £
(i) Tax consultants:
(a) Department of Health nil nil 15,000
(b) DH Agencies nil nil nil
(c) NCPBs 26,000 19,000 13,000
(ii) Other external tax advice: One NDPB uses a telephone Pay As You Earn advisory service at a cost of £180 per annum.

This expenditure has been to provide advice on the proper interpretation of tax law.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the policy of his Department on the purchase of tax avoidance advice; and if he will make a statement. [13268]

Mr. Milburn

The Department has used tax advisers to enable it to fulfil its statutory tax obligations rather than for tax avoidance purposes.