---

Future EU Finances and Own Resources

I am delighted to have the opportunity of renewing the acquaintance that the hon. Gentleman and I established over the course of many debates. I am probably one of the few people in the Chamber who have had the privilege of listening to the hon. Gentleman speak sometimes for as little as two hours. Given the time constraints on this debate, I realise that he may struggle to achieve his normal output. The figures quoted by the European commissioner are not normally used as a basis to calculate the EU budget. They reflect a wider assessment of the budget, involving various items that would not usually be considered as part of the negotiation that was achieved in December. I do not say that simply on behalf of the UK Government; the position is widespread across the EU. The figures mentioned by the commissioner involved many aspects of EU expenditure not normally counted as part of the EU budget.