§ Lord Dubsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What would be the savings to the European Union and to the United Kingdom if all meetings of the European Parliament were held in Brussels.
§ Lord InglewoodThe European Parliament estimates that the additional costs involved in its being located in Luxembourg, Strasbourg and Brussels adds approximately 15 per cent. to the Parliament's overall budget. On the basis of the 1995 Parliament budget this would account for some 110 mecu (£87 million) per year.
On the assumption that the UK's share would be equal to the UK's overall financing share, before abatement, in the 1995 adopted Budget, this would imply a possible saving to the UK's gross contribution of some 14 mecu (£11 million a year). This would be partly offset by any reduction in our receipts and in the size of our abatement.