European Communities (Finance) Bill

He did not do that. The own-resources negotiations that took place after December 2005 implemented the deal. The hon. Gentleman should not believe everything that he reads in the newspapers. The hon. Member for Shrewsbury and Atcham (Daniel Kawczynski) asked why the UK should bail out countries including those in the Balkans, Ukraine and Georgia. Why should we give up the abatement, he asked, when public finances are stretched? I support enlargement—I am not sure whether Opposition parties do—and I am clear that the investment in new member states will be to the economic benefit of the UK. It will facilitate trade. In 2006, British exports to the countries that acceded in 2004 had risen by 36 per cent. in the first full year after accession. That means jobs and growth in the constituencies of all hon. Members. I listened with respect and interest, as always, to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell), although I did not agree with everything he said. He made the point that the CAP would increase in real terms, but that is not the case. A lot of erroneous numbers have been flying around this evening. As I have just said, in 2007 the CAP will be worth €55 billion, but it will reduce to €51 billion by 2013 in the prices of that year. I also do not agree with my hon. Friend that we would be better off out. With 55 per cent. of our total trade being with the EU—3 million jobs and inward investment—being in the EU gives us peace, prosperity and productivity growth. The hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood)—