HL Deb 15 July 1992 vol 539 cc28-9WA
Lord Bruce of Donington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the abatement for 1992 set out at Table 2 at page 115 of Volume 1 of the Preliminary Draft General Budget of the European Communities for 1993 in the sum of 3,181 million ecu (£2,227 million) has been agreed by them; whether they have yet been notified of the European Commission's calculations of the United Kingdom's 1993 abatement; and, if so, what is the amount.

The Earl of Caithness

The Government was consulted on the level of abatement to be included in the 1993 Preliminary Draft Budget. The Government is content that the sum of 3,181 mecu in respect of 1992 (to be deducted from the United Kingdom's 1993 contributions) is the correct amount due under the formula laid down in the 1988 Own Resources Decision. The level of abatement in respect of 1993, which will be deducted from 1994 contributions, has not yet been calculated.

Lord Bruce of Donington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What instructions they propose to issue to the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European Communities to ensure that items of importance included within the Preliminary Draft Budget of the European Communities for 1993 are included on the Agenda drawn up by COREPER for the meetings of ECOFIN commencing on 23rd July next as items for discussion; and whether they will state what Treasury evaluations of various Titles and Chapters of the Preliminary Draft Budget are provided to the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative in order that excessive inclusions on COREPER's List "A" (items needing no discussion or deliberation at the meetings) are avoided.

The Earl of Caithness

Before the Budget Council meets on 23rd July to establish a draft budget for 1993, the Commission's Preliminary Draft Budget will have been examined in detail by the Council's Budget Committee and by COREPER. This process enables detailed consideration of the Preliminary Draft Budget and will allow the Budget Council to address, in particular, those elements of the Preliminary Draft Budget on which agreement has not been reached, by qualified majority in the Budget Committee or COREPER; or which are of particular concern to a Member State, including the United Kingdom.

The basis for the United Kingdom's consideration of the Commission's Preliminary Draft Budget is a careful consideration of each entry in it by the United Kingdom department with policy responsibility for that spending programme. Consideration is given to the amount proposed by the Commission, the cost-effectiveness of the programme and the importance which the United Kingdom attaches to the programme. The Treasury co-ordinates briefing for each entry, to enable the United Kingdom's permanent representation to argue the United Kingdom's position in the Budget Committee and in COREPER.

Final decisions are taken by Ministers in the Budget Council. The United Kingdom, in common with other member states, is free to raise issues which are important to it. Any such issues, and all items which have not previously been agreed, are discussed by the Council, with Ministers voting by qualified majority. The Council then establishes its Draft Budget in accordance with the Treaty.