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Proceeding contribution from Lord Redwood (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 11 May 2011. It occurred during Debate on Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base.


Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base

I am not sure I believe that. We have heard from the Minister that they are a happy and united team and that she is proud of the work she has brought to us. I am saying that I would like her to improve the work and to go back and make that happy team one that can perhaps make us happier. The simple answer is veto—she should say, ““No, this cannot work. It is a dreadful constitutional intrusion on a country that desperately needs its own economic recovery to accelerate, that needs lower tax rates and greater tax simplification and that needs to promote economic growth.”” My right hon. Friend the Chancellor is beginning to do that, but I think more measures are needed to secure the deal and make sure it works. I am quite sure that this huge deal—the 102-page draft law—is not the way forward. My hon. Friend the Minister says that there is no proposal, but I regard a 102-page draft law as a very serious proposal. Experience has taught me never to underestimate the power and persuasion of the European Union when it wants to do something. I think that it is now on a great push to establish all the central powers it needs for the economic governance of a single-economy, single-country model, and that this is part of it along with the economic six-pack. My strong advice to my hon. Friend is that Britain can do better, Britain needs to say no and Britain needs to exempt herself from all this, as we are entitled to do, so that we keep a sovereign Parliament and a growing economy.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
527 c1296-7 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Corporation tax EU countries EU action EU economic policy Sovereignty Taxation
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk