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European Council: 15–16 December 2005

My Lords, my noble friend is quite right. The British rebate remains in full on all expenditure in the existing 15 member states. It remains in full on all CAP market expenditure everywhere in the Union, including in the new member states. Of course, the rebate will continue to rise as our contributions rise, because the rebate is linked to our contributions. Perhaps I may also tell my noble friend that the Commission president, President Barroso, said:"““I welcome this agreement on the comprehensive review clause and the mandate given to the Commission to prepare this revision of the budget. The Commission will look at all aspects of the budget from 2008 onwards, without taboos””."