§ Mr. AllasonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which countries were net contributors to the European Community in 1991, or the latest year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. MaudeThe latest information available is contained in the European Court of Auditors report for 1990. It gives information on member states' gross contributions and information on some 85 per cent. of receipts, with administration and research the main elements of internal expenditure excluded. The Court of Auditors report shows that in 1990 Germany, France and the United Kingdom were significant net contributors. Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg are also shown as net contributors, but none of them was likely to be in practice after taking account of expenditure excluded from the report. All other member states were net recipients.