Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many HMRC investigations of taxpayers initiated in 2013 were ongoing for more than (a) one year (b) two years and (c) four years prior to prosecution; and if he will make a statement.

The HMRC data below relates to the number of people who were subject to a criminal investigation started in 2013/14, broken down by duration in years. The end point to determine duration is the outcome of the prosecution (conviction or acquittal). The number of investigation cases involved will be less as many cases involve more than one individual.

Criminal Investigations started in 2013-2014:

• 147 individuals were subject to a criminal investigation which lasted one year or less.

• 189 individuals were subject to a criminal investigation which lasted one to two years.

• 228 individuals were subject to a criminal investigation which lasted two to four years.

• 17 individuals were subject to a criminal investigation which lasted over 4 years.

• 309 individuals are subject to a criminal investigation which is still ongoing.