Written question asked by Harry Barnes (Labour) on Monday, 11 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 14 October 2004. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Thursday, 14 October 2004 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has held with the Belgian Finance Minister about Belgium's support for an international currency transaction tax. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Mr. Barnes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has held with the Belgian Finance Minister about Belgium's support for an international currency transaction tax. [190557] Mr. Timms: The Chancellor recently met with a range of finance Ministers, including the Belgian Finance Minister, at the Annual Meetings at which there was a discussion regarding an international currency transaction tax. The Government are open to exploring the full range of options for financing for development, and welcomes the recent reports of the French- Brazilian-Spanish-Chilean-UN and Landau working groups. The UK Government will continue to explore international taxes as potential long-term sources of development finance, but in the short-term the IFF remains the only workable proposal on the table to generate the resources urgently needed to help meet the MDGs.

Secondary information