Exiting the European Union

Paula Sherriff Excerpts

Monday 5th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Davis]

My desire to return to the Back Benches is overwhelming, so it will be as soon as I can.

[Paula Sherriff (Dewsbury) (Lab)]

The Secretary of State will undoubtedly be aware of our debate later today on the tampon tax and the Government amendment that makes its abolition subject to the UK’s EU obligations, and not just our obligations of EU membership. Will he tell the House whether any exit agreement with the EU could include requirements on the UK to set minimum rates of VAT even after our membership ends? In that scenario, can he give us an absolute guarantee that we will be allowed to zero-rate women’s sanitary products?

[Mr Davis]

What the hon. Lady describes is one of the reasons—it is not the only reason, but it is one of many—for wanting to leave the European Union. Being able to set one’s own tax rate is a fundamental for an independent country. That is what we want to be once more.