§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what amendments the Government will seek to make to article(a) I-14, (b) III-62 (2) and (c) III-63 of the draft EU Constitution; and if he will make a statement; [137155]
(2) whether the Government is seeking an explicit rejection of (a) further tax harmonisation and (b) a federal fiscal policy in the European Union in the draft EU Constitution; and if he will make a statement. [137156]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe Government set out their approach to the Intergovernmental Conference in the White Paper, "A Constitutional Treaty for the EU: The British Approach to the European Union Intergovernmental Conference."
As the Government make clear in the White Paper, they will oppose proposals which might lead to unnecessary rigidities or undermine the central role of member states in determining their economic policies. They will work to ensure outcomes that will bolster stability, promote flexibility and enhance the ability of European countries to raise productivity and employment levels.
The Government also believe that the right of member states to determine their own tax policies is a fundamental one. Tax matters are a key component of national sovereignty and vital to the social and economic well-being of the country. That is why, in the IGC, the Government will insist that tax matters continue to be decided by unanimity.
§ Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy regarding the energy chapter of the proposed European Union constitution as it affects the UK offshore oil and gas industry. [137759]
§ Mr. MacShaneI refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my right hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, East and Wallsend (Mr. Brown) on 11 November 2003,Official Report, column 204W.