HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Dawn Primolo to chair EU committee on harmful tax competition [May 1998]

The press release issued by HM Treasury on 8 May 1998.

Financial Secretary Dawn Primarolo was today appointed the first chairman of the new EU Code of Conduct Group.

Speaking after the first meeting of the Group in Brussels, Ms Primarolo said:

“I am delighted that the Member States have appointed me to this important role. Together we have a great opportunity to strengthen the single market and improve the working of the European economy.”

Chancellor Gordon Brown, welcoming the appointment, said:

“Dawn Primarolo’s appointment will put the UK at the heart of an important Community debate.”

The Group will assess the business taxation regimes of Member States and examine the extent to which they contain elements that represent harmful tax competition. The objectives are to reduce distortions in the single market, prevent damage to the tax base
and excessive losses of tax revenues and to develop more employment-friendly tax structures. The Group will meet regularly and report back to Ecofin council meetings.