HC Deb 22 May 1996 vol 278 c196W
Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the United Kingdom gross contribution to the EU in 1996; and if he will express this total as a sum per person per week. [30216]

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The Government's latest estimate of the United Kingdom's gross contribution to the European Community budget for 1996–97 is £7,733 million, after account is taken of the UK's abatement. Assuming a population for the UK of 58.3 million, the estimate translates arithmetically to £2.54 per person per week.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the net contribution to the EU in 1996; and if he will list the principal areas in which revenue is returned from the EU. [30217]

Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

The Government's latest estimate of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Community budget for 1996–97 is £2,899 million. Included within the estimate is a total of £4,834 million for public sector receipts. The great bulk of these receipts come from the three major Community funds, as follows:

Fund 1996–97 £ million
European Agricultural and Guarantee Fund 2,999
European Social Fund 1,068
European Regional Development Fund 744