To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the (a) net and (b) gross contributions which each member state of the EU will make to the EU during the next budget cycle (i) in total and (ii) per head of population. (117244)

The Government’s latest forecast of the United Kingdom’s net contribution to the EC Budget in 2006-07 and 2007-08 can be found in footnote 3 to Table B16 (page 240) of the pre-Budget report of December 2006. The equivalent gross contribution forecast, after taking account of the United Kingdom abatement, in these two financial years is £7.9 billion and £9.8 billion respectively. Based on Eurostat population figures for the United Kingdom in 2005 (60,034.5 thousand) the net and gross contribution, post abatement, per head in each of these two financial years would be £47 net, £132 gross (2006-07) and £75 net, £163 gross (2007-08). HM Treasury does not, as a matter of course, forecast the gross and net contributions of all the other member states as this is a matter for their respective Governments. Figures for the 2007 gross contribution of each member state will be included in the 2007 EC adopted budget which will be published in the European Commission’s Official Journal, L (Legislation) series, in due course.