Mr. Philip Kermode:

The short answer to the question is, "Yes, they can". The fact of the matter is while we see an advantage in having a co-ordinated position, in discussions in the OECD our individual member states can and do take different positions on individual files. This is no secret. We certainly see that on some issues it is difficult for them not to take a common position, such as areas where they are bound by EU law. The process, to take up the question, is likely to give rise to more political acceptance of standards than anything else. Perhaps I can draw from this an analogy with work which took place in recent years on the exchange of information on request on investor income. The OECD at the behest of the G20 pushed for a global standard on exchange of information, which gave rise to the creation of a global forum on transparency and exchange of information. The reason I mention this is because the global forum has 120 countries in it and one of the things one sees from it is the opportunity it gives to having a wider consensus which reflects the views of not just some of the big players, but all of the players at the table.

The question is whether the OECD's work is creating a situation in which it would be easier to have global standards in taxation. To date, there have been differences between, for example, the OECD, the UN model convention and other jurisdictions in the emerging counties.