99. Sir A. Salterasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of companies registered in Palestine during the last five years; the present number of such companies whose assets are wholly or almost wholly outside Palestine; the present number of such companies which are not trading; and whether, in view of the absence of Income Tax and Sur-tax in Palestine, he is satisfied that the machinery of Palestinian companies is not being used to avoid the payment of English Income Tax and Sur-tax?
§ The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Ormsby-Gore)The numbers of new companies registered each year from 1932 to 1936 were 55, 117, 214, 273 and 183, respectively. The information requested in the second and third parts of the question is not in my possession. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him this afternoon by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.