§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has anything to add to his statement of 28 November concerning treaty obligations of Her Majesty's Government on the European Communities (Finance) Bill,Official Report, column 953.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe agreement reached at Edinburgh was a political commitment in which the United Kingdom Government gave our word to our EU partners. We expect our partners to keep their word; and they expect us to keep ours. If we were to break our word, the international reputation of the United Kingdom would be severely damaged. The own resources decision will constitute a treaty obligation when the Government notify adoption of it.