§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff are employed by the Inland Revenue in investigating fraudulent claims for tax credits. [22941]
§ Dawn PrimaroloAs at 31 December 2001, there were a total of 542 Inland Revenue staff involved in investigating possible false applications for tax credits. This figure comprises 27 Investigators and 226 support staff employed centrally at the Tax Credit Office. There are a further 247 Inland Revenue Network staff who also deal with tax credit investigations, and a specialist team of 42 staff dealing with the most serious cases including those resulting in prosecution.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value is of(a) overpayments and (b) penalties recovered by the Inland Revenue as a result of fraud investigations in respect of each tax credit in each year since their introduction. [22929]
§ Dawn PrimaroloI will write to the hon. Member about this matter and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.