§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date stamp duty was paid by Mapeley on the STEPS Contract with the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise; and if he will make a statement. [89475]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 14 January 2003]: The payment of Stamp Duty is a confidential matter between the payer and the Inland Revenue. Ministers are not involved in the process and do not have access to information relating to it. Exemption 15 (Statutory and other restrictions) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies.
§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the advice given by Mr. Dave Shaw of the Inland Revenue special investigation section to the Deputy Chairman of the Inland Revenue in respect of the Mapeley STEPS contract; and if he will make a statement. [89476]
§ Dawn Primarolo[holding answer 14 January 2003]: I understand that Mr. Shaw's advice referred to policy advice which it would be inappropriate to disclose. 51W Exemption 2 (Internal discussion and advice) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information applies.