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European Communities (Finance) Bill

I can probably do better. I refer the hon. Gentleman to paragraph 11 of the explanatory notes, which states:"““If any Member State fails to adopt the new Own Resources Decision by 31 December 2008 then the current Own Resources Decision…continues to operate until such time as the adoption process is completed””—" [Interruption.] Opposition Members have reacted, as someone said, as though that were a complete vindication of their position. Such an outcome—it is what Opposition Members want, although they are not saying so—would precipitate a complete breakdown in relationships with the rest of the European Union. I am led to believe—I shall return to the House to correct this if I am wrong—that this country has never failed to ratify an important decision agreed with European partners. Let us be clear what Opposition Members want. They want that showdown debate with the European Union. If that is the case, they should come out and say so.