I should like to ask one question which arises out of the previous Debate, namely, whether the Financial Secretary can say how much it is proposed to take from the Civil Contingencies Fund before such time as legislation is introduced, and whether such drawings will include both our initial payments by way of subscription and also our initial debit payments.

I am afraid it is impossible to give a detailed answer to that question in terms of figures. Of course, in so far as we need to make advances before legislation effecting the European Payments Union is produced, we shall make use of the Civil Contingency Fund, as my right hon. and learned Friend explained in his recent statement, thereby confirming what was foreshadowed in the previous Debate. However, I am afraid it is impossible at this stage to determine what the amount will be, still less to make a precise public statement to the House. Of course, any amounts involved, together with the other liability, will be within the new total of the Fund.

Would the hon. Gentleman answer the second part of the question, about including the initial debit amount?

It is not possible to foresee that precisely, but I think it is quite probable it will.