§ Mr. MossTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether she and her officials have met their counterparts in the Treasury to discuss the implications of the changes proposed by the European Commission to the special travel agents VAT scheme contained in Directive 77/388/EEC; what her Department's stance is on these proposals; and what recommendations were made to the Treasury. [133148]
§ Mr. CabornNeither my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State nor officials have met HM Treasury counterparts on this issue. However, this Department has remained in close discussions with HM Customs and Excise who have the lead for this issue in Europe. My Department has listened and is sympathetic to the Tourism industry's concerns and we will continue to discuss this with HM Customs and Excise. HM Customs have met and discussed this issue with the industry and will continue to work hard to ensure that UK business interests are given full weight in EU negotiations.