§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the expenditure made 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. [13253]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 5 November 1997]The Department has made no payments of the kind described in the relevant years. Only one such payment has been made by the Executive Agencies, this being for £4,000 to a consultant, on behalf of the Meat Hygiene Service, in 1995–96.
Information on such expenditure by non-departmental public bodies is not centrally available, but is currently being sought. I will write to the hon. Member with the collated information as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Malcolm BruceTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of his Department on the purchase of tax avoidance advice; and if he will make a statement. [13254]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 5 November 1997]The general policy of the Department and its Executive Agencies is that no use should be made of external342W consultants in respect of taxation matters. However, there was one such transaction by the Meat Hygiene Service in the financial year 1995–96, as reported in my reply to the hon. Gentleman's previous Question.
Non-departmental public bodies enjoy greater freedom of action, and are responsible for their own tax affairs. However, the Department's resources are available to all such bodies and officials are sometimes consulted for advice.