DAVID Crausby has demanded answers from the chancellor after one of his constituents received a tax demand which he claimed had been sent out ‘at random’ to 30,000 people.

The Bolton North East MP said Jason Lomax received a letter from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) which said he had sold a property and may be liable to pay capital gains tax, and that ‘additional penalties’ may apply if it was not paid.

Mr Lomax, of Shepherd Cross Street, Halliwell, said he did not owe the tax, and after being put on hold on the phone for 20 minutes, claims he was told by HMRC that 30,000 of the letters had been sent out ‘at random’ in the hope that someone who did owe tax would come forward, although that claim is denied by the department.

Mr Crausby has written to George Osborne to find out “why law-abiding citizens are receiving misleading letters”.

Capital Gains Tax is imposed on the profit made when an asset which has increased in value is sold.

Mr Lomax, who works as a sales manager, said: “When I saw ‘deadline to pay’ I just thought what the heck is this? I’ve always done things by the book. When I was told they’d sent them out at random I just thought that’s stupid.

“When you think of the manpower involved and the cost of paper, it’s crazy.”

Mr Crausby said: “I think we have a right to know why HMRC is wasting taxpayers’ money on these fishing expeditions that leave innocent people feeling accused.

“We frequently see stories about huge companies like Google, Apple and Starbucks paying little or no tax and the Government doesn’t seem interested.”

HMRC spokesman Bob Gaiger said: “For legal reasons we can't discuss specific cases but we take great care to ensure our letters go to the right person.

“This letter does not accuse the recipient of doing anything wrong and although they are not randomly generated, when we write to the wrong person we apologise.”