European Communities (Finance) Bill

EU finance is horrendously complicated, and I wish the Chief Secretary and the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr. Hammond), who spoke with considerable passion and eloquence, luck as they grapple with that problem. EU finance is to the 21st century what the Schleswig-Holstein question was to the 19th century. As a historian, Mr. Deputy Speaker, you will remember the Schleswig-Holstein question. Lord Palmerston said, ““Only three people in the country understand the Schleswig-Holstein question. One is dead; one went mad; and I'm trying to forget.””