§ Mr. ColmanTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what economic evaluation his Department has(a) undertaken and (b) commissioned of the overall balance of advantage of existing double tax agreements. [103631]
§ Dawn PrimaroloIt is widely recognised in the United Kingdom and other leading industrialised countries that double taxation agreements encourage international trade and investment by relieving double taxation and providing certainty of tax treatment. Investment and income flows are taken into account in negotiating double taxation agreements. The business community is invited regularly to give its views on the priorities for negotiating new agreements and renegotiating existing agreements. The many representations made by business during our annual review of our network of agreements show the considerable value of these agreements to the United Kingdom, and in particular to UK business.