The United Kingdom Treasury has set off again on one of its periodic forays against the offshore jurisdictions.

A select committee is now asking for input into an investigation of so called 'tax havens'. It is asking a number of questions to which parties might wish to respond, including 'to what extent, and why, are offshores important to worldwide financial markets?', but also 'to what extent does the use of offshore financial centres threaten financial stability?'.

A lengthy list also includes 'to what extent have offshores ensured that they cannot be used in terrorist financing?', and 'what has been, and is, the extent and effect of double taxation treaty abuse with offshore financial centres?'.

The UK Treasury says comments should be 'original work, not previously published or circulated elsewhere'.