HC Deb 21 May 1931 vol 252 cc2203-4
71. Mr. HANNON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to give further information with reference to the representations made by His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris on the question of taxation by the French fiscal authorities in cases where a British company holds the majority of shares in a French company?

The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Dalton)

On the 23rd of April the French Government expressed their readiness to fix a date on which the representatives of the two Governments should discuss the whole question of double taxation. They were at once informed that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom had noted their decision with pleasure, hoped that they could fix a date at once, and requested that all proceedings against British companies instituted by the French fiscal authorities be stayed pend- ing the conclusion of the discussions between the two Governments. The French taxation authorities were, in consequence, approached on the 9th of May with a view to fixing a definite date for these discussions, and it is hoped that some arrangement will be reached for a meeting between representatives of the two Governments at the beginning of June. His Majesty's Ambassador is continuing to give the case his close attention.