HL Deb 14 November 2003 vol 654 c233WA
Lord Stoddart of Swindon

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is their most recent forecast of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Community's budget; and what that contribution would be if the United Kingdom's abatement were withdrawn (a) in total and (b) per head of the population. [HL5328]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)

Details of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the EC Budget for the period 1997–98 to 2002–03, and the abatement which is included within these figures, can be found in Table 3.1 of Her Majesty's Government's 2003 European Community Finances White Paper (Cm 5800).

The estimated UK net contribution for 2002–03 was shown as £3,097 million. Excluding the UK abatement (£3,234 million) would increase this to £6,331 million.

Per head of population for 2002 (60 1 million), these figures would be some £51 and £104 respectively.