§ Mr. RowlandsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a breakdown of the United Kingdom's contributions to the European Union for(a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98, and the estimated contributions for (i) 1998–99 and (ii) 1999–2000. [44022]
§ Mrs. LiddellDetails of the United Kingdom's gross and net contributions in 1996–97 and 1997–98 together with the Government's estimate of the trended net contribution for 1998–99 were set out in the Departmental Report of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Department's published in April. These figures are reproduced in the following table:
£ million Year Gross contribution Abatement Public sector receipts Net contribution 1996–97 9,278 -2,418 -4,567 2,293 1997–98 8,523 -1,582 -4,636 2,305 Trended net contribution 1998–99 — — — 3,025 The Government are, in the light of latest information, currently assessing the trended net contribution for 1999–2000 and more detailed cash flow figures for 1998–99. These will be published as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
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