Office of Tax Simplification Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Office of Tax Simplification

George Mudie Excerpts
Tuesday 20th July 2010

(14 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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I think that we are going to achieve something very important, with good value for money for the taxpayer—and I think that will be a hallmark of this Government.

George Mudie Portrait Mr George Mudie (Leeds East) (Lab)
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To prove to the House the independence of the Office for Budget Responsibility, the Chancellor finally conceded that the appointment of its chair would be subject to the agreement of the Treasury Committee. If the so-called independent OTS is actually to be so, will the same arrangements be considered for the appointment of its chair?

David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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We have not taken a view on that yet. We have to understand what the role of the OTS will be—to publish recommendations that will be, by necessity, in the public domain. People can debate those matters, which we think is a valuable purpose in itself. Whether the Treasury Committee needs to endorse every appointment made by the Government is a debate that we should have.