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European Communities (Finance) Bill

Thank you, Sir Alan. I do not disagree with the point made by the shadow Chief Secretary. Of course, it is well within the rights of the Committee to adopt the new clause. My point is that that would send the clearest of signals that the UK was unilaterally opting out of the own resources decision. The conclusion of the budget review process, which the new clause mentions, will take some time, I would guess. The date for the ratification—the agreed date by which all member states should incorporate the own resources decision into their domestic legislation—is 1 January 2009, which is less than a year away.