§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish an estimate, on the basis of the criteria operated by the EC, on whether Scotland would be252W a net contributor or a net recipient of funds in the event of an independent Scotland being a member of the European Community; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Stewart[holding answer 27 June 1994]: Estimating whether an independent Scotland would be a net contributor to, or a net recipient from, the EC budget would be a complex exercise which could not be undertaken except at disproportionate cost. In view of the hypothetical nature of the question, such costs would not be justified. In the unlikely event of Scottish independence, Scotland's net position would depend on its terms of membership of the European Union.