§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of the impact on the UK's financial contribution to the EU if the 12 applicant states join, as a result of their membership. [160620]
§ Mr. Vaz[holding answer 9 May 2001]: Following the Berlin European Council in March 1999 the EU agreed indicative limits for expenditure in an enlarged EU until 2006, assuming six new members joining in 2002. The size of any increase in the UK's net contribution would depend upon a number of factors, including the terms of accession, but would be restricted by these limits. Also at Berlin, the governments succeeded in retaining the UK abatement. The abatement will apply to the bulk of spending in the new member states.
Any increase in the UK's net budgetary contribution would also need to be viewed against the considerable political and economic benefits of enlargement.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of increased annual expenditure on the CAP as a result of admitting(a) Poland, (b) Hungary, (c) the Czech Republic, (d) Bulgaria and (e) Romania into the EU. [160627]
§ Mr. Vaz[holding answer 9 May 2001]: Following the Berlin European Council in March 1999, the EU agreed a Financial Perspective for 2000–06. This contained annual 454W ceilings on agricultural expenditure for the current 15 member states. From 2002 onwards, and for the first time ever, the ceilings on CAP spending in the existing member states decline in real terms.
Berlin also agreed indicative ceilings for expenditure in an enlarged EU, assuming six new members joining in 2002. The exact level of annual expenditure in an enlarged EU will depend upon a number of factors, including the terms of accession, but will be restricted by these limits.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his estimate is of increased annual expenditure on(a) the CAP and (b) the total EU budget as a result of admitting the 12 applicant countries negotiating to join the EU. [160621]
§ Mr. Vaz[holding answer 9 May 2001]: Following the Berlin European Council in March 1999 the EU agreed indicative limits for expenditure in an enlarged EU until 2006, assuming six new members joining in 2002. The exact level of expenditure, overall and on the CAP, will depend upon a number of factors, including the terms of accession, but will be restricted by these limits. These limits leave the overall ceiling on spending in an enlarged EU well beneath the current Own Resources ceiling (1.27 per cent. of community GNP).