HC Deb 07 June 2000 vol 351 cc273-4W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to paragraph 20 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation, if an inventory exists to distinguish assets held by the Queen(a) as Sovereign and (b) as a private individual. [124214]

Mr. Gordon Brown

[holding answer 5 June 2000]There is a computerised inventory of the Royal Collection which identifies assets held by the Queen as Sovereign and as a private individual.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason inheritance tax is not payable on private possessions passed from one sovereign to the next. [124212]

Mr. Gordon Brown

[holding answer 5 June 2000]The tax arrangements for the Queen and Prince of Wales are set out in the Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation, attached to the Report of the Royal Trustees published on 11 February 1993 (HC 464).

Mr. Baker

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what variations have been notified under paragraphs 33 to 35 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation; [124216]

(2) on how many occasions a disagreement has occurred under the terms of paragraph 31 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Royal Taxation. [124215]

Mr. Gordon Brown

[holding answer 5 June 2000]Amendments to the original Memorandum of Understanding were announced in October 1996 to reflect changes in the arrangements for paying tax under self-assessment.

A copy of the amended Memorandum was placed in the House of Commons Library.

The normal rules of taxpayer confidentiality apply to matters under paragraph 31 of the Memorandum of Understanding.