HL Deb 02 December 1993 vol 550 cc46-7WA
Lord Bruce of Donington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will state the principles and criteria used by their representatives on COREPER and at the ECOFIN Council when considering applications from the Commission to the Council for transfers of appropriations within the European Community budget subsequent to its formal establishment and approval and whether such transfers, when con-sidered by ECOFIN, are dealt with as "A" points or as "B" points.

Lord Henley

The criteria for proposing budget transfers are set out in the Financial Regulation. As appropriate, Ministers in the Council and their representatives in COREPER and the Budget Committee will examine each transfer proposal on the basis of those criteria. In considering whether expenditure on a particular budget line should be increased, the United Kingdom will examine the proposal by reference to the two key principles of budget discipline and sound financial management.

Following detailed consideration of the transfer proposals in the Council's Budget Committee, provided member states have reached agreement before the Council meeting, transfers will usually be dealt with as "A" points by the Council.