§ 1. Sir Anthony Meyerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the European Community gross domestic product and of the combined expenditure by the Governments of member States was represented by the 1981 Community budget; and if he has any estimates compiled on a similar basis for 1982 if the present disputed 1982 budget stands.
§ The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Jock Bruce-Gardyne)The Community budget for 1982 accounted for nearly 0.9 per cent. of the gross domestic product of member States and about 1.9 per cent. of their combined general Government expenditure. I estimate that the 1982 budget, as adopted, would account for about the same proportion of the GDP of member States as in 1981.
§ Sir Anthony MeyerDoes that not put in perspective the relative importance of the budget, in comparison with 952 the vast volume of trade which is at risk—£50,000 million of Britain's annual trade with the EEC—if anything affected our membership?
§ Mr. Bruce-GardyneI can only say that my hon. Friend is, as usual, entirely right in that respect.