HC Deb 22 April 1999 vol 329 c611W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer to the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border (Mr. Maclean) of 18 March 1999,Official Report, columns 759–60, concerning EU budget line B3–306, for what reason the Commission removed the prohibition in the amended Budget Line notes; and what is the basis for the statement that the Commission shares his Department's view of how such expenditure should be used. [80177]

Ms Quin

The drafting of language used in this Budget Line is a matter for the European Commission.

I refer the hon. Member to the Budget Line notes for 1999. They state: These measures are designed to be an effective channel of communication and dialogue between the people of the European Union and the Community institutions. They take account of specific national and regional characteristics, in close co-operation with the Member State authorities.