HC Deb 13 November 1997 vol 300 cc636-7W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the policy of his Deparmtent on the purchase of tax avoidance advice; and if he will make a statement. [13260]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

[holding answer 5 November 1997]: A non-departmental public body sponsored by this Department sought external advice in 1995–96,1996–97 and 1997–98 to enable it to comply with its statutory tax obligations. This Department has in 1997–98 sought limited external advice on issues arising under another country's tax laws. In neither case was this advice sought for tax avoidance purposes.

Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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.[13259]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

[holding answer 5 November 1997]: Spending by this Department, its executive agency, and non-departmental public bodies on tax consultants and other external tax advice was as follows:

1995–96 1996–97 1997–98
(a) FCO
(i) Consultants 0 0 0
(ii) Other 0 0 1£7,000
(b) Agency
(i) Consultants 0 0 0
(ii) Other 0 0 0
(c) NDPBs
(i) Consultants 0 £5,827 £2,702
(ii) Other 0 0 0
1 Estimate.