§ Lord Shore of Stepneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 23 April (WA 184) on the subject of the European Community's own resources, what was the source of the estimates concerning the net contribution of France and Italy in 2006 quoted in that reply; and what are the main factors that have contributed to the notable change in the relative net contributions of the United Kingdom, France and Italy in 2006. [HL1900]
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyEstimates for the net position of France and Italy in 2006 are based on the Financial Perspective ceilings and the new system of Own Resources agreed at the Berlin European Council in March 1999, assuming an enlargement of six new member states, and reflect the impact of the UK abatement and the method by which it will be funded by other member states under the new system agreed at Berlin.