Lords to ask Treasury Secretary about the EU Budget process and Greek crisis
Tomorrow, Tuesday 24 February, a House of Lords Committee which deals with economic affairs will put questions to David Gauke MP, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, on the EU budgetary process.
Peers will ask the Minister whether the EU budget process is no longer fit for purpose, whether Member States should be managing EU funds in a more effective way, and for more detail on the Chancellor's claim that the Government had halved the demand last autumn for the UK to pay an extra £1.7bn into the EU Budget.
The Minister will also be asked about the current Greek crisis, and the Commission's proposals for an Investment Plan for Europe.
Other questions he will face include:
- What is your assessment of the 2014 and 2015 budgetary process?
- Has the relationship between payments and commitments collapsed?
- Why can't the Government pursue wholesale reform of the system AND focus on the UK's contributions at the same time?
- How do you respond to criticisms that the Government won't engage properly in the EU budget process?
- The Chancellor claimed last year that he had halved the £1.7bn bill from the EU, but our view is that the rebate was never in question – what is your response?
- Is there a danger of wealthier EU Member States benefiting at the expense of vulnerable ones when it comes to investment and the Commission's plans for a European Fund for Strategic Investments?
The evidence session will start at 10.05am on Tuesday 24 February in Committee Room 3 of the House of Lords.
The session will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.
