To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have made payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors since 1997. (151391)

In 2001 HM Customs and Excise made two payments totalling £15,749 to Flint Bishop Solicitors, recorded under their former name of Flint Bishop and Barnett. HM Customs and Excise merged with the Inland Revenue in 2005 to form HM Revenue and Customs.

No other Chancellor's departments or their agencies have found any records of payments to Flint Bishop Solicitors within the last five years. Changes in accounting systems mean that a positive confirmation for all bodies over the whole period since 1997 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.