HC Deb 18 July 1977 vol 935 cc391-2W
Mr. Biffen

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish as a draft order the proposed double taxation relief agreement now in protocol stage with Singapore.

Mr. Denzil Davies

The text of an amending protocol to the existing double taxation agreement with Singapore was signed on 21st July 1975. A further amendment to the protocol has subsequently been agreed and this is being effected by an Exchange of Notes. The text of the protocol has already been published by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and will appear, as amended by the Exchange of Notes, as a draft order in due course.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to publish as a draft order the proposed double taxation relief agreement now in protocol stage with the Netherlands.

Mr. Denzil Davies

This protocol was published on 4th July 1977 as a schedule to a draft Order in Council. A motion has been put down that the draft order be referred to a Standing Committee on Statutory Instruments.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress to date in the conclusion of a double taxation relief agreement consequential on the introduction of accelerated corporation tax with Norway.

Mr. Denzil Davies

A protocol amending the dividends article in the Double Taxation Convention between the United Kingdom and Norway was signed in London on 23rd June 1976. The protocol is subject to approval by the House of Commons, and the text will be published in due course as a schedule to a draft Order in Council.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress to date in the conclusion of a double taxation relief agreement consequential on the introduction of accelerated corporation tax with Germany.

Mr. Denzil Davies

Agreement at official level was reached in February 1975 on amendments to the existing Anglo-German double taxation agreement in the light of the changed system of corporation tax in the United Kingdom. Further progress was delayed by the German corporation tax reform. A new system of corporation tax came into force in Germany on 1st January 1977. Discussions to review the agreement in the light of the two new systems will be held in the future.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress to date in the conclusion of a double taxation relief agreement consequential on the introduction of accelerated corporation tax with Austria.

Mr. Denzil Davies

Agreement has been reached at official level on the text of a protocol amending the dividends article in the Double Taxation Convention between the United Kingdom and Austria. Arrangements are being made for signature in the near future.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress to date in the conclusion of a double taxation relief agreement consequential on the introduction of accelerated corporation tax with Belgium.

Mr. Denzil Davies

The Inland Revenue has had discussions and correspondence with Belgian tax officials with a view to amending the existing Anglo-Belgian double taxation agreement in the light of the changed system of corporation tax in the United Kingdom. Discussions will be resumed early next year.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress to date in the conclusion of a double taxation relief agreement consequential on the introduction of accelerated corporation tax with Japan.

Mr. Denzil Davies

The Inland Revenue had discussions and correspondence with Japanese officials with a view to amending the existing Anglo-Japanese double taxation agreement in the light of the changed system of corporation tax in the United Kingdom but further discussions have been deferred, at the Japanese request, pending a review of the Japanese corporation tax system.