§ Mrs. Winifred Ewingasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Her Majesty's Government accept the aim of the EEC to harmonise tax systems; and whether he intends to make proposals to ensure that the tax burden in the United Kingdom does not remain heavier than that in other member States.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe general aim of tax harmonisation is contained in the Treaty of Rome which we accepted on our accession to the EEC. The Government are satisfied that the proposals so far adopted by the Council do not impair the retention by Parliament of the powers needed to pursue effective fiscal policies.