Tax Avoidance and Evasion Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Tax Avoidance and Evasion

Nigel Evans Excerpts
Thursday 13th September 2012

(12 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Pugh Portrait John Pugh
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Yes, and that indicates clearly that legal uncertainty and endless litigation are not central and natural features of a GAAR. They do not happen in other countries.

We cannot excuse a poorly drafted GAAR, so we have to get it right. We cannot console ourselves with the thought that the only victims of a poor GAAR are corporate bodies, high net worth individuals and so on. However, a GAAR is a very important tool, and there remains no convincing general argument against it.

Nigel Evans Portrait Mr Deputy Speaker (Mr Nigel Evans)
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Order. Before I call the Front Benchers, I remind them that it would be appropriate to give Mr Meacher a couple of minutes at the end to wind up the debate.