Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what standards and speed of response she expects from HMRC in providing details of settlements reached with companies to hon. Members.

HMRC have a statutory duty of confidentiality to protect information held about taxpayers, so that such information is not passed to unauthorised parties. HMRC’s ability to disclose information held about taxpayers is restricted by the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 (CRCA). Section 18 of CRCA makes clear that HMRC must not disclose information to anyone, unless they have lawful authority to do so. As such HMRC are unable to provide details of any customers’ tax settlements with MPs.