Written question asked by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 29 October 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 November 2001. It was answered by Clare Short (Labour) on Monday, 5 November 2001 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, on what date her Department obtained legal advice on the validity and applicability of the 1982 Britain-Belize Investor Protection Treaty for the Public Investment Companies with regard to the study commissioned by her Department to review the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize and the effect of tax exemptions on pro-poor programmes; what the conclusion of this legal advice was; on what date this advice was passed to the Government of Belize; and if she will place in the Library a copy of this advice. - Includes fact that the advice is confidential.

Answer: Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what date her Department obtained legal advice on the validity and applicability of the 1982 Britain-Belize Investor Protection Treaty for the Public Investment Companies with regard to the study commissioned by her Department to review the regulation of offshore financial services in Belize and the effect of tax exemptions on pro-poor programmes; what the conclusion of this legal advice was; on what date this advice was passed to the Government of Belize; and if she will place in the Library a copy of this advice. [11602] Clare Short: Counsel's advice was received on 7 September and passed to the Government of Belize on 13 September. The advice is confidential to the UK and Belize Governments.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 11602; 374 c17W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Disclosure of information Investment Financial services Exemptions Legal opinion Poverty Public sector Offshore funds Regulation Taxation Belize KPMG
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk