§ 34. Mr. Ridsdaleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the negotiation for a double taxation agreement with Malaysia will be likely to be completed.
§ Mr. DiamondThe terms of an agreement were settled at the beginning of last year but the subsequent secession of Singapore and the changes in the United Kingdom tax system raise the question of its revision; this matter will be taken up as soon as possible.
§ Mr. RidsdaleIn the meantime, before agreement is reached, why is the Treasury asking for payment in full on the pensioners' income, 40 per cent. of which has already gone, thanks to the fumbling financial policy of the Government, which is bewildering not only pensioners, but tax experts, both at home and abroad?
§ Mr. DiamondThe hon. Gentleman has gone rather far afield, but if there is any special case where he thinks there is particular hardship, if he will send it to me I shall be only too glad to look at it.
§ Mr. William ClarkIn view of the last Budget, will not all double taxation agreements need to be re-negotiated?
§ Mr. DiamondMany of them will need to be re-negotiated.
§ Mr. LubbockDoes the Chief Secretary recall that I have drawn an individual case to his attention, and that he said that it must await the signing of a new double taxation agreement with Malaya?
§ Mr. DiamondI do not recall it at the moment, but I am sure that the hon. Gentleman's recollection is correct.