§ Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many working languages were used in the EEC(a) in 1970, (b) in 1980, (c) in 1990 and (d) at the latest date for which figures are available; what is the estimated cost of translation services in 1995; and what was the cost in each of the previous years.
§ Mr. David DavisThe European Community had four official and working languages in 1970, six in 1980, nine in 1990 and has had 11 since the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden in January this year. There is no separate line in the EC budget covering the cost of translation services. Estimates could therefore be calculated only at disproportionate cost.