HC Deb 19 July 2004 vol 424 cc35-6W
Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the United Kingdom contributed to the Central European Fund in(a) 1997, (b) 1999, (c) 2001 and (d) 2004; and what the contributions made by other European member states were for those years. [184259]

Ruth Kelly

I am unaware of the Central European Fund. However, Government figures for the UK's gross contribution, abatement, public sector receipts and net contribution to the EC Budget for the years 1999, 2001 together with a forecast for 2004 can be found in Table 3 of the 2004 European Community Finances White Paper (Cm 6134). Details for 1997 can be found in Table 3 of the 2003 European Community Finances White Paper (Cm 5800).

Details, as published by the European Commission, of Member States, including the UK, gross contributions, after taking account of the UK abatement, to the EC Budget for the years 1999 and 2001 can be, found in Tables 2 and 2A of the 2004 European Community Finances White Paper (Cm 6134). Details for 1997 can be found in Tables 2 and 2A of the 2003 European Community Finances White Paper (Cm 5800). The following table provides the latest EC Budget estimates of these contributions for 2004.

2004€ million
Belgium 3,749
Denmark 2,061
Germany 21,878
Greece 1,738
Spain 8,202
France 16,801
Ireland 1,266
Italy 13,674
Luxembourg 218

2004 € million
Netherlands 5,459
Austria 2,216
Portugal 1,440
Finland 1,490
Sweden 2,686
UK 12,857
Czech Republic 545
Estonia 57
Cyprus 89
Latvia 67
Lithuania 126
Hungary 560
Malta 35
Poland 1,345
Slovenia 191
Slovakia 240
Source:
Amending Budget No. 5/2004

The figures shown for the 10 new member states represent contributions for two thirds of the year, following enlargement on 1 May 2004.