§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what is the policy of his Department on the purchase of tax avoidance advice; and if he will make a statement. [13366]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesMy Department does not purchase tax advice.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales 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. [13373]
§ Mr. HainNeither my Department nor its agency, Cadw, purchases external tax advice. Details of any such expenditure by those non-departmental public bodies sponsored by my Department are not held centrally; it is wholly a matter for them to determine as part of the day-to-day management of their affairs.