Q. As a reasonably successful businessman, from time to time!
meet extremely wealthy people who now reside in London. I find it quite surprising that almost all of these mega-wealthy people, having originated abroad, seem now to wish to live in London but also take extreme pleasure in telling me how successful they are at avoiding paying any tax whatsoever. I know that they pose a dilemma for Gordon Brown, who would rather they were here spending their money than risk imposing the punitive measures that would drive them away altogether; but please, Mary, tell me how, when next this happens, I am supposed to respond. These encounters invariably take place at cocktail or dinner parties and I do not wish to offend my hostess.
M.M., London SW3 A. Why not reply without a hint of rancour, but as though introducing a new friend to a great potential source of pleasure in life. Dooh, but personally I love paying tax. One, because it means I must have made a profit, so it's a concrete sign I've been successful. And secondly because it eases one's conscience about doing one's bit for the National Health Service and that sort of thing. Don't you enjoy feeling that way?' you can ask, with wide eves and innocent expression.
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