§ 61. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Transport whether she is aware that the system of indirect taxation as operated in the Common Market countries includes taxation on fares and travel; to what extent she has taken steps 208W to harmonise the cost of fares on the basis of the Common Market practices; and how much these taxes will increase the cost of fares and travel when Great Britain joins the European Economic Community.
§ Mrs. CastlePractice among the Common Market countries in this respect is not uniform. Harmonisation of the taxation of transport undertakings is an agreed aim, but I know of no decision to harmonise fares. As to the implications concerning indirect taxation. I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 8th May.