My right honourable friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

At its meeting of 28 November 2006, the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) adopted a 104(8) council decision regarding Poland's excessive deficit procedure. ECOFIN adopted conclusions on multilateral surveillance of the first progress reports on the Lisbon national reform programmes and on global factor flows, in preparation for the European Council on 14 and 15 December.

Ministers adopted conclusions on reducing the administrative burdens caused by statistics in the EU. ECOFIN adopted conclusions on the review of the Facility for Euro-Mediterranean Investment Partnership and agreed a general approach on the future of the European Investment Bank external lending mandates. ECOFIN agreed conclusions on future work to combat tax fraud.

Ministers discussed further issues relating to the minimum excise rates on alcoholic beverages. ECOFIN reached agreement on the travellers' allowance directive, providing for an increase in duty-free allowances.

Ministers agreed on a general approach to extend the 2003 e-commerce arrangements and agreed council conclusions on continuing work to modernise and simplify the VAT system.

ECOFIN took note of a progress report from the Code of Conduct Group on Business Taxation and adopted conclusions on the future work of the group. Ministers heard an oral progress report from the Commission on company tax obstacles hindering the function of the internal market. ECOFIN took note of a progress report from the Finnish presidency on the directive on payment services in the internal market.

Ministers received a presentation from the Commission on its approach to tackling barriers in the clearing and settlement industry and adopted conclusions on this approach. The Paymaster-General, Dawn Primarolo MP, represented the UK.