Budget Rebate (Hansard, 22 February 1984)

§ 58. Mr. Maxton
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will introduce legislation to authorise the suspension of future United Kingdom payments to the European Community if the promised 1983 rebate is not forthcoming.

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
As in previous years, we expect to receive the bulk of our refunds by the end of March. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister told the House on 7 December, if this does not happen, we would have to take steps to safeguard our position.

§ Mr. Maxton
When the Foreign Secretary says, 'the bulk of our refund," does that mean that we will not get it all? Secondly, would it not be considerably better to have legislation on the statute book before the crisis arises rather than wait until it comes about and then have to rush legislation through the House in an unseemly manner?

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
The hon. Gentleman is running a great deal too far ahead of possible events. In earlier successive years the bulk of our refunds was secured by the end of March in those years. That is precisely our objective this time. If our refunds are not paid by the end of March on that scale, we shall have to take steps to safeguard our position. We shall consider what steps when the time comes.

§ Sir Anthony Meyer
Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that, whatever protestations may be made, there will be wide support for his refusal to allow short-term difficulties to prejudice the attainment of his longterm objectives? Is he further aware that if he succeeds in negotiating a package that safeguards this country's vital long-term interests, he will enjoy massive support from the Conservative side of the House?

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he has said. In these difficult negotiations it is right to remember their importance and the importance of the objectives that he has identified, and to achieve them in a sensible pattern.

§ Mr. Deakins
Will the Foreign Secretary avoid the temptation of talking tough about this issue in public so as to save himself and his right hon. Friend the Prime Minister considerable embarrassment when they eventually have to return to the House before 31 March with a patched up agreement?

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
The hon. Gentleman can be assured that the presentation of our case by myself and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on these important issues is precisely the same in the House, in the Council chamber, in private or public. It is most important that the strength of our case should be fully and clearly understood.

§ Mr. Marlow
At a time when we cannot even get our rebate back, and at a time when we are cutting public expenditure at home, how on earth can we even consider the possibility of increased European own resources? Will my right hon. and learned Friend say whether he has been considering what action would have to follow should the Government agree, by misadventure, to an increase in own resources and the House of Commons throws it out?

§ Sir Geoffrey Howe
It has long been the position that Governments in this country have had to make judgments on matters of that kind whenever they are engaged in international negotiations. For just that reason, we continue to stand by the important conditions to which I have already referred, and there will be no question of an increase in own resources unless there has been satisfaction on effective control of agriculture and other expenditure, and on equitable financing.