HC Deb 26 October 1972 vol 843 cc393-4W
Mr. Shore

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the 1973 Budget of the European Economic Community is accounted for by the additional costs arising from the enlargement of the Community, and by European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund appropriations, including Mansholt Reserves reinscribed from earlier years, respectively.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

The draft Budget for 1973 was sent to the European Parliament earlier this month, and will be published in due course in the Offical Journal. In the draft Budget (which was drawn up on the basis of a Community of ten member States) about 500 million units of account (mua) is attributed to enlargement. Appropriations for the Guidance section of FEOGA amount to 285 mua, plus a further 45 mua which is subject to decision by the Council of Ministers. There is also a separate re- inscription of 25 mua in this section. Appropriations for the Guarantee section amount to 2,977 mua. The Council of Ministers decided this year not to include provision in the 1973 Budget for what are called the Mansholt reserves (which will amount to about 438 mua); these are noted as authorised expenditure, should there be any need for a call up.

Mr. Shore

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the current European Commission Budget estimate for the European Communities for 1973 to 1975.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

I understand that these estimates will shortly be presented to the European Parliament. I will ensure that they are placed in the Library at that time.

Mr. Shore

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now bring up to date the contributions that Great Britain will have to make to the European Communities in the five years beginning 1st January, 1973; and if he will further update Table 2 on page 24 of the July, 1971 White Paper, Command Paper No. 4715, the United Kingdom and the European Communities, taking into account changes in the value of money and other relevant considerations.

Mr. Patrick Jenkin

I will consider this, but in any case all the relevant information is not yet available.