§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he is making at European Union level regarding the Fontainebleau rebate. [17082]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe United Kingdom rebate is enshrined in the Own Resources Decision, which can be changed only with the agreement of the UK Government and following ratification by the UK Parliament. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and I have repeatedly made it clear to our Community partners that we shall not agree any change to the rebate which results in a system less advantageous to the United Kingdom than the current arrangement. The rebate will remain fully justified given the size of our net contribution in relation to our relative prosperity.