§ Mr. MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the(a) net and (b) gross British contribution to the EU on a per capita basis for each of the last four years, indicating the savings resulting in (a) and (b) from the British rebate. [36344]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe information requested is set out in the table.
United Kingdom gross and net contributions, per capita, 1993 to 1996 1993 1994 1995 1996 Gross contribution1 (£ million) 7,985 7,189 8,889 9,133 Abatement2.3 (£ million) 2,539 1,726 1,207 2,412 Gross contribution after abatement (£ million) 5,446 5,463 7,682 6,721 Receipts3 (£ million) 3,291 3,253 3,665 4,369 Net contribution (£ million) 2,155 2,211 4,017 2,352 Population (millions) 58,191 58,366 58,480 58,680 Gross contribution per head (£) 137 123 152 156 Gross contribution after abatement per head (£) 94 94 131 115 Net contribution per head (£) 37 38 69 40 Value of abatement per head3 (£) 44 30 21 41 1 Annual contributions include corrections and adjustments in respect of amounts paid in earlier years. 2 The UK's abatement is paid a year in arrears, so that it reflects the UK's excessive net contribution in the previous year. The abatement made available to the UK during the year also takes account of corrections and adjustments made in respect of earlier years. 3Indicates negative amount. Sources:
Gross contribution, abatement, receipts and net contribution taken from the Government's annual White Paper, Statement on the EC Budget.
Population figures taken from European Economy (1996 Broad Economic Policy Guidelines) published by the European Commission.