HC Deb 22 October 2003 vol 411 cc623-4W
Mr. Bellingham

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the implications of the proposed European Constitution on the UK's ability to set corporation tax. [133414]

Dawn Primarolo

Any changes to the provisions of the existing EU Treaties, including in relation to corporation tax, require the unanimous agreement of all member states. The Government have made it clear in their White Paper, "The British Approach to the European Union Intergovernmental Conference 2003", that they will insist that tax matters continue to be decided by unanimity.