§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what invitations to respond to the proposals of the Commissioner of the European Community for harmonisation of value added tax and excise duties was contained in the global communications from the Commission to Her Majesty's Government; and if he will publish in theOfficial Report its text, together with any response.
§ Mr. Lilley[holding answer 18 February 1988]: The global communication contained no specific invitations to respond; member states were invited only to evaluate the Commission's tax approximation proposals. The Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) has referred the proposals to the Economic Policy Committee (EPC) for economic analysis and will discuss them in the light of EPC's report, which is expected in the spring. The Commission should be in little doubt about the Government's view on United Kingdom zero rating. A copy of the global communication, together with a copy of each of the Commission's proposals, has been placed in the Library.