Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when it was decided that bailiffs could be used to recover alleged overpayment of tax credits; who took that decision; and whether it is his policy that processes to recover alleged overpayments are stayed at the request of an hon. Member for such an allegation to be investigated.

HMRC does not use bailiffs to recover overpayments of tax credits. HMRC is required to balance the need to investigate concerns or complaints with its duty to collect money owed, and will therefore carry out an initial investigation in order to be able to decide, on the facts of the case, whether or not it should halt the pursuit of a debt.