§ Mr. GillTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sum of money has been allocated in the recent Budget as the United Kingdom's gross contribution to the EU. [4049]
§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory[holding answer 4 December 1995]: UK contributions to the EC are reflected in the 261W public expenditure plans in net rather than gross form. The figures for net payments to European Community institutions for the financial years 1995–96 to 1998–99 are set out in table 6.6 of the "Financial Statement and Budget Report" (House of Commons No. 30). The corresponding estimates of the UK's gross contribution after abatement, along with the figure for net payments, are as follows:
£ million Year UK gross contribution after abatement Net payment to EC institutions 1995–s96 7,668 2,894 1996–97 7,734 2,304 1997–98 7,858 2,496 1998–99 7,926 2,498 Further details will be published in my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer's next departmental report.