HC Deb 31 January 1967 vol 740 c231
15. Mr. Channon

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to harmonise the British system of taxation with that prevalent among the Members of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Callaghan

It is too early to say what modifications in our tax system might be necessary to harmonise with the tax systems of the members of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Channon

Since the Prime Minister has told us that the Government mean business about their negotiations with the Community, would it not be a helpful thing if the Government were to show that they meant business by harmonising some of our taxation systems?

Mr. Callaghan

We might find that we have harmonised with something that was disharmonised. There are still a great many discussions to take place in the E.E.C. before they reach finality about the future of their tax system.

Mr. Whitaker

Will my right hon. Friend bend his efforts towards providing more money for social security, which in many respects is higher in all the Common Market countries than it is in Britain?

Mr. Callaghan

I am not sure about the general level of social security. There is a different wry of financing social security in the European Community, and it would be a matter for debate as to whether we should want to move over to that system.