§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of European Commissioners and the cost of their cabinets in(a) 1971, (b) 1981 and (c) 1991; and what is the estimated cost for 1995.
§ Mr. David DavisThere were nine members of the European Commission in 1971, 14 in 1981 and 17 in 1991. When Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the Union on 1 January this year, the number of Commissioners became 20. On the question of cost, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer that my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs gave him on 13 January,Official Report, column 213.