Tag: Lord Mendelsohn

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2014-03-31.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many prosecutions for VAT carousel fraud have taken place in the United Kingdom over the last six years.

Lord Wallace of Tankerness

The records held by the Crown Prosecution Service do not identify the number of prosecutions for fraud cases known as VAT carousel fraud. Such information could only be obtained through a manual search of records which would incur a disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2014-03-06.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many staff are currently employed for more than 50 per cent of their working week to support the Permanent Secretary of the Department for Education in his role as Accounting Officer; and what are their job titles.

Lord Nash

A large proportion of the staff who work in the Department for Education support the Permanent Secretary in his role as Accounting Officer.

The information requested about those who do so for more than 50% of their working week is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2014-03-31.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what guidelines are followed by HM Revenue and Customs and the Crown Prosecution Service in determining whether to investigate or prosecute VAT carousel fraud.

Lord Newby

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) seek to disrupt VAT carousel (Missing Trader Intra-Community – MTIC) fraud using both civil and criminal interventions.

When using criminal action HMRC seek to investigate the ‘guiding minds’ behind MTIC fraud, as well as, selectively, other participants, including key enablers.

Such cases are notified and referred to the relevant independent prosecutors. The final charging decision is made by the prosecuting agency, based on the evidence presented as a result of the HMRC investigation. Cases in England and Wales will be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2014-03-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the percentage cost over-run established by the management board for any budget in the Department for Communities and Local Government to merit being tabled at the departmental management board; and how many times in the last 12 months that has occurred.

Baroness Stowell of Beeston

The Department’s financial position is reviewed on a regular basis.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2014-03-31.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the cost of the legal advice gained by the Metropolitan Police Service and Crown Prosecution Service which led to the policy of investigating the chant of yids” by Tottenham Hotspur supporters by the Metropolitan Police Service prior to the Prime Minister’s comments on the matter on 16 September 2013; and what was the cost of the advice gained after that date.”

Lord Taylor of Holbeach

The Home Office does not hold the information requested. The Crown Prosecution Service has no specific policy relating to the chanting of the word "yids" by Tottenham Hotspur supporters and incurred no legal advice costs on this specific issue. The case against the three Tottenham Hotspur supporters was discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service prior to the adjourned date of the hearing, without parties having to attend court, and without the associated costs being incurred.

The Crown Prosecution Service National Football lead has been consulted on a number of occasions regarding whether the use of the word "yid" could amount to a criminal act. The general advice given on each occasion was that each case depends on its specific facts. In relation to the case that was dropped against the three Tottenham Hotspur supporters, the police contacted the Crown Prosecution Service prior to charge. Advice was given that there was a realistic prospect of conviction. It subsequently transpired that the further evidence was not available and the case was therefore discontinued. Prior to the discontinuance a meeting took place between senior police officers and the Crown Prosecution Service officials.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2014-03-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the percentage cost over-run established by the management board for any budget in the Ministry of Defence to merit being tabled at the departmental management board; and how many times in the last 12 months that has occurred.

Lord Astor of Hever

The Defence Board receives a monthly report on the performance of each of its Top level Budgets showing the forecast position against the allocated budget. It also receives information on the delivery of the Ministry of Defence’s key equipment and other projects. The Board assesses this management information at each meeting and takes action as and when necessary.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2014-03-31.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was total cost associated with the charges dropped against three Tottenham Hotspur supporters in March relating to the chant of yids”.”

Lord Taylor of Holbeach

The Home Office does not hold the information requested. The Crown Prosecution Service has no specific policy relating to the chanting of the word "yids" by Tottenham Hotspur supporters and incurred no legal advice costs on this specific issue. The case against the three Tottenham Hotspur supporters was discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service prior to the adjourned date of the hearing, without parties having to attend court, and without the associated costs being incurred.

The Crown Prosecution Service National Football lead has been consulted on a number of occasions regarding whether the use of the word "yid" could amount to a criminal act. The general advice given on each occasion was that each case depends on its specific facts. In relation to the case that was dropped against the three Tottenham Hotspur supporters, the police contacted the Crown Prosecution Service prior to charge. Advice was given that there was a realistic prospect of conviction. It subsequently transpired that the further evidence was not available and the case was therefore discontinued. Prior to the discontinuance a meeting took place between senior police officers and the Crown Prosecution Service officials.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2014-03-25.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the percentage cost over-run established by the management board for any budget in the Department for Education to merit being tabled at the departmental management board; and how many times in the last 12 months that has occurred.

Lord Nash

The Department for Education’s financial position is reviewed every month by the Department’s Management Committee.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Mendelsohn on 2014-03-31.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether the Quarterly Data Summary for any department does not include data for the current period, for the year to date, and for the full year forecast.

Lord Bates

In each quarter of the 2013/14 financial year, 15 of the 17 departments taking part in the Quarterly Data Summary process have provided all of the information requested. In quarter 3, the most recent quarter for which data is available, average completion was 96%.