text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  European Communities (Finance) Bill - Second Reading
  
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  The Aye-voters successfully carried the motion[1] for the [http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2007-08/europeancommunitiesfinance.html European Communities (Finance) Bill] to be given its [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/glossary/?gl=24 Second Reading]. This is the most important stage for a [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/glossary/?gl=249 Bill] as it is when the main purpose of a Bill is discussed and voted on.
  
  The main purpose of this Bill was to set out how the UK would contribute to the European Union (EU) budget. It implements the decisions taken at a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Council European Council] meeting in December 2005. Under this agreement the UK's contribution to the EU budget was expected to increase between 2007 and 2013. In addition, 20% of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UK_rebate British rebate] from the EU was given up.
  
  As such, while this Bill was primarily concerned with financial minutiae, it was emotive for those concerned with the question of increased European integration and enlargement.
  
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  * [1] [http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2007-11-19b.976.3 Andy Burnham MP], House of Commons, 19 November 2007
  
  
  
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  