HL Deb 27 July 1999 vol 604 cc165-6WA
Baroness Jeger

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What reduction has been made over the last three years in the British taxpayers' contribution to subsidising the growing of tobacco in European Union countries. [HL3647]

Lord Donoughue

Member States contribute to the EU budget as a whole and not to any particular part. The UK's contribution is around 17 per cent. before our Fontainebleau abatement is taken into account. Subsidies for the last three years under the EU tobacco regime were 1,026 million ecu (£852 million*) in 1996, 998 million ecu (£725 million*) in 1987. and 870 million ecu (£584 million*) in 1998.

Exchange rates used:

  • 1996 £1 = 1.204 ecu
  • 1997 £1 = 1.3758 ecu
  • 1998 £1 = 1.4887 ecu.