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Written question asked by Jim Hood (Labour) on Wednesday, 25 November 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 1 December 1998. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Tuesday, 1 December 1998 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what was the outcome of the Budget Council held in Brussels on 24th November. - Inc figs.
Answer

Mr. Hood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the Budget Council held in Brussels on 24 November; and if he will make a statement. [61650] Ms Hewitt: On 24 November, the Budget Council gave its second reading of the draft 1999 EC budget setting commitments at some 97 billion euros (£67 billion) and payments at 85 billion euros (£59 billion). This represents an increase of some 6.6 per cent. in commitments and 2.5 per cent. in payments compared to the 1998 budget, almost all of which is accounted for by unavoidable increases in structural funds appropriations required under the terms of the Edinburgh agreement of 1992. The Council's second reading leaves a margin of some 6.4 billion euros below the ceiling on the financial perspectives. A detailed description of the Council's second reading of the budget is given in an explanatory memorandum which the Government are submitting to the Select Committee on Europe.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
321 c154W; 61650
Session
1998-99
Subjects
EU budget EU Budget Council
Contains statistics
Yes