House of Commons debate on DRAFT EU BUDGET 2011 [Up to three hours]

I will report on this tomorrow when Hansard has been updated but I note that Justine Greening's motion

'That this House takes note of European Union Document No. SEC(2010) 473, Statement of Estimates of the European Commission for the financial year 2011; and supports the Government’s efforts to maintain the 2011 EU budget at the cash levels equivalent to the 2010 budget, while ensuring better value for money in EU expenditure. '

has a proposed amendment

'Line 2, leave out from ‘2011’ to end and add ‘is concerned at the above-inflation increase being made to Britain’s EU budget contribution; believes that, at a time when the Government is poised to make reductions in public spending elsewhere, it is wrong to increase that contribution; and calls on the Government to reduce Britain’s EU budget contribution’.'

This is signed by 34 MPs and not all of the Euro-sceptics have signed up... including Bill Cash who has another amendment for discussion

'Line 5, at end add ‘and calls on the Government to reject European Parliament proposals to increase the budget’. '

This could be / was an interesting debate, but comment will only follow tomorrow...