To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the United Kingdom’s (a) gross and (b) net annual contributions to the European Union are expected to be in each of the next six years; and if he will make a statement. (142023)

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Surrey Heath (Michael Gove) on 31 January 2006, Official Report, columns 398-400W.

Later calendar year estimates for the United Kingdom’s contributions to the EC Budget will be published annually in the Government’s “European Community Finances” White Paper. The 2007 edition of this White Paper (Cm 7090) was published on 22 May 2007.