§ 10.6 p.m.
§ The Financial. Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Douglas Jay)I beg to move,
That an humble Address be presented to His Majesty, praying that, on the ratification by the Norwegian Government of the Convention set out in the Schedule to the Draft Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Norway) Order, 1951, a copy of which was laid before this House on 4th July, an Order may be made in the form of that draft.This agreement is a further one in the series of such agreements which we have concluded since the war, including that with France which I explained to the House recently. This agreement follows the normal, regular pattern. It affects, in the case of the United Kingdom taxation, Income Tax, Surtax and Profits Tax and, 779 in the case of Norwegian taxes, their national Income Tax, national Defence Tax—which is a further type of Income Tax—and a few other Norwegian taxes.The general method of double taxation relief will be the same as in the comparable Orders. The agreement is to last for five years and after that period will be terminated by notice from either side. It is particularly satisfactory to have concluded this agreement with Norway because of our close economic and other ties with that country.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ElliotWe make no objection to this Order. As the Financial Secretary has said, there are long and very close economic bonds between this country and Norway. I am particularly glad to see that professors and teachers visiting this country are exempt from tax in the country visited. The circulation of men of learning is certainly one to be greatly encouraged. That is, among other reasons, a good reason why we should welcome this Order in the series of reliefs from double taxation which are in process of being made.
§ Question put, and agreed to.