To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government’s (a) gross and (b) net contribution to the EU budget is in 2009. (282749)

I have been asked to reply.

The Government’s latest forecast of UK net contributions to the EC Budget in 2008-09 and 2009-10 were published in Table C9 (page 238) of the 2009 Budget (C 407). A more detailed breakdown of these contributions and an estimate of UK contributions in 2009 will be included in the 2009 European Community Finances White Paper which will be published shortly.