HC Deb 18 October 1993 vol 230 cc82-3W
Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many buildings the European Parliament rent in(a) Brussels, (b) Luxembourg and (c) Strasbourg; and what is the total rent paid in each city.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The European Parliament rents nine buildings in Brussels—some of which are physically linked—five buildings in Luxembourg and five buildings in Strasbourg—three of which are linked extensions to the original building.

The rents paid in each city for 1993 are as follows:

  • Brussels: 27.258 million ECU (approx £21.264 million);
  • Luxembourg: 12.212 million ECU (£9.527 million);
  • Strasbourg: 13.254 million ECU (£10.339 million);

The detailed appropriations are given in section 1, chapter 20 of the general budget of the European Community, published in Official Journal No. L31, Vol. 36 of 8 February 1993, copies of which are available in the House.

Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what are the allowances payable to Members of the European Parliament.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The European Parliament's allowances for Members in 1993 are as follows:

Subsistence Subsistence allowance of 199 ecu (approx £155) per day for attending official meetings within the European Community plus the cost of overnight accommodation, etc. for attending official meetings outside the Community.

Travel Flat rate travel allowance of 0.73 ecu (57p) per kilometre for the first 800km and 0–37 ecu (29p) for each additional kilometre for travel within the Community to attend official meetings. Reimbursement of the return air fare by the most direct route for travel outside the EC to attend official meetings. Travel allowance of up to 3,000 ecu (£2,340) per annum for travel on official business other than to attend official meetings.

Office and Secretarial Assistance Secretarial assistance allowance of up to 7,468 (£5,826) ecu per month. General expenditure allowance of 2,732 ecu (£2,131) per month for office management costs, telephone, postage and travel within member states. (Halved in respect of Members who, for no valid reason, have failed to attend at least half the number of plenary sittings.)

Data Processing Data processing allowance of up to 1,000 ecu (£780) per annum for purchase or rent of equipment.

Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been the cost of the European Parliament each year since 1989–90.

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

Expenditure under the European Parliament's budget for each year since 1989 has been as follows:

Expenditure net of receipts
Year Million ECU £ million
1989 349.451 2272.607
1990 393.346 306.849
1991 450.441 351.389
1992 538.241 419.882
11993 585 456.358
1 Estimate
2 Approximate

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