EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION (Hansard, 15 November 1979)

§ Mr. George Cunningham
The clause relates to the exchange of information. It provides that no obligation as to secrecy shall prevent the United Kingdom commissioners disclosing information to the Isle of Man customs and excise service. May I take it that there is an equivalent provision in the Tynwald legislation?

§ Mr. Peter Rees
I understand that is so.

§ Mr. George Cunningham
We have had a useful discussion on the Bill. I rise on Third Reading only because references have been made from time to time, particularly by the Minister of State, Treasury, to previous discussions of different matters relating to Scotland and Wales when it so happens that several hon. Members on the Government side and several on the Opposition Benches were of a mind. I would not like there to be any misunderstanding in the Isle of Man that anyone in this House sees the relations between the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man remotely in the context of the kind of discussions that took place and the kind of difficulties we experienced over devolution to Scotland and Wales.
Devolution is not quite the word in relation to the Isle of Man. There is a degree of independence and autonomy in the Isle of Man. There always has been. I should have thought it was the unanimous view of Members of this House that there always will be. Nothing that has been said in connection with Scotland and Wales in this debate should be interpreted to suggest that anyone does not hold the view that that degree of autonomy and the relationship that has always existed should continue between London and Douglas.

§ Mr. Dalyell
There is no Isle of Man representative in this House or in the European Assembly. That makes a considerable difference. At the same time, on Third Reading one is entitled to say that we will find parliamentary opportunities to ask the questions which were not in order tonight, for they must be asked.

§ Mr. Brittan
I am grateful to hon. Members for the clarifications they have given. I am sure that these will be noted and welcomed in the Isle of Man as well as here. It is fair to say, in responding to the hon. Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell), that no one present this evening will be under any illusion about his resolve to return to the wider matters concerning the Isle of Man in which he has expressed an interest. It is fair to say that there is no opposition in the House to the Bill. Its provisions have not been passed "on the nod". We have probed and examined them. The Government have tried to answer the queries that have been raised. I commend the Bill, in its amended form, to the House and ask that it be given a Third reading.