HC Deb 06 May 1969 vol 783 cc415-6

10.50 p.m.

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Harold Lever)

I beg to move: That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that, on the ratification by Japan of the Convention set out in the Schedule to the Order entitled the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Japan) Order 1969, a draft of which was laid before this House on 15th April, an Order be made in the form of that draft. We have two double taxation relief Orders to bring before the House, and it may be convenient to discuss them together. These fascinating and interesting double taxation Orders relate to Japan and Norway. I shall be brief in dealing with them because I know that hon. Members have—

Mr. Deputy Speaker (Mr. Harry Gourlay)

Order. I presume that it is the wish of the House to discuss the Orders together?

Mr. Patrick Jenkin (Wanstead and Woodford)

That will be agreeable to this side of the House.

Mr. Lever

I know that the House will forgive me for being exceptionally brief because I know that great numbers of hon. Members have an immense and deep passion for such Orders and have studied them closely and a detailed elucidation by me will not be required. The first Order, dealing with Japan, replaces a Convention signed in 1962 by a new Convention which follows the general pattern of recent Conventions. I think the House is familiar with the terms of that pattern.

The new Convention concerned with Norway also follows the pattern of recent Conventions, and again I do not propose to go into a detailed summary of its provisions because the House will have made itself familiar with the considerable details of the Order. I trust that these two Orders will commend themselves to the House.

Question put and agreed to.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that, on the ratification by Japan of the Convention set out in the Schedule to the Order entitled the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Japan) Order 1969, a draft of which was laid before this House on 15th April, an Order be made in the form of that draft.

To be presented by Privy Councillors or Members of Her Majesty's Household.

Resolved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that, on the ratification by the Government of the Kingdom of Norway of the Convention set out in the Schedule to the Order entitled the Double Taxation Relief (Taxes on Income) (Norway) Order 1969, a draft of which was laid before this House on 15th April, an Order may be made in the form of that draft.—[Mr. Harold Lever.]

To be presented by Privy Councillors or Members of Her Majesty's Household.

Mr. Lever

I beg to move, That the Central Banks (Income Tax Schedule C Exemption) Order 1969, a draft of which was laid before this House on 15th April, be approved. This Motion has a similar advantage to that of the two former ones. It relates to an Order which I am sure hon. Members will have already studied in great detail. It seeks approval for a draft Order under Section 22 of the 1957 Finance Act. It gives exemption from English taxation to the Bank of Negara, Malaysia, which is the central bank of Malaysia. Now that the bank has been entrusted with the reserves of Malaysia, it qualifies for joining the select band of individuals who enjoy exemption from income tax. I do not think hon. Members will want me to go into great detail, although I am willing to do so if I am asked.

Question put and agreed to.