§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update table 3.3 of the Public Expenditure White paper to take account of the decisions reached at the Brussels summit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Brooke[holding answer 19 February 1988]: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has stated, the overall effect of the agreement reached at the European Council will be to increase the United Kingdom's net contribution after abatement by an estimated £200 to £300 million a year compared with the existing own resources ceiling, and by an estimated £100 to £200 million a year compared with the effective level of spending in 1987. The outcome on individual budget lines will depend on a range of factors, including detailed decisions still to be taken.