HC Deb 09 May 1973 vol 856 cc137-8W
Mr. Mather

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many shooting incidents and how many bombing incidents took place between 18th and 30th April and since 1st May, respectively.

Mr. David Howell

167 shooting incidents and 22 bombing incidents took place between 18th and 30th April and 85 and 23 between 1st and 7th May.

and now appear in the marshalled list of amendments; and a statutory instrument containing a protocol amending the 1949 Agreement on Profits Taxes has also been laid today.

Briefly, the agreements as amended provide for the tax credit relating to dividends under the new system to be paid to all shareholders resident in the Republic other than direct investors— that is, companies with a stake of 10 per cent. or more in the company paying the dividend. The Republic will be entitled to retain income tax at up to 5 per cent. on dividends paid to direct investors in the United Kingdom; but the United Kingdom will give relief against corporation tax for this Irish income tax, as well as for the Irish profits tax underlying dividends paid to direct investors. The new arrangements will be effective for a period of two years beginning on 6th April 1973.