European Economic Community

HC Deb 22 February 1973 vol 851 cc673-4

18. Mr. Jay

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the estimated expenditure on information from the EEC Budget in 1973.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

About £5 million.

Mr. Jay

As British taxpayers' money is involved, will the hon. Gentleman say how much of this is used for the payment of secret retaining fees to individuals throughout Western Europe for undisclosed services?

Mr. Jenkin

If I heard the right hon. Gentleman correctly, he was asking a very particular question, of which I must ask him to let me have notice.

Mr. Lipton

Now that we are members of the Common Market, can we not be told what part of this sum is spent in Britain?

Mr. Jenkin

The European Communities maintain an information office in London, as the hon. Gentleman is aware, and information of all sorts is available to people in this country. It is absolutely right that it should be so.