But First Minister Alex Salmond, who has called for full fiscal powers for Scotland, said the proposals had been overtaken by the UK government's plan to pay for a rise in the income tax allowance with personal increases in National Insurance, under which money would go straight to the Treasury.

BBC: Queen's Speech outlines new Scottish Parliament powers

The old code's very incomprehensibility and Draconian levels (taxes exceed the national income) played into the hands of local mafias that would demand protection money to keep tax collectors at bay.

FORBES: Fact And Comment

Indebted governments would be able to transfer debt in excess of a 60% of national income or GDP to a debt reduction fund which would agree to freeze the money owed for 10 years in return for the government carrying out agreed economic reform.

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