§ Q15. Mr. Lathamasked the Prime Minister what progress has been made since the Luxembourg European Economic Community Council in dealing with the United Kingdom budgetary imbalance.
§ The Prime MinisterAt the Foreign Affairs Council on 6 May, it was agreed that Foreign Ministers would take up the question of the budget, and the subjects which have been linked with it, at their informal meeting on 17 and 18 May. The Italian Presidency has said it would like to find solutions to outstanding problems by the end of this month.
§ Mr. Marlowasked the Prime Minister what effect a reduction of the United Kingdom net contribution to the European Economic Community budget to £325 million per annum would have on the net receipts of the Irish Republic; and if she will ensure that the benefit received by the Irish Republic is taken into account in future discussions on other issues.
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§ The Prime MinisterThe general question of how a British rebate might be financed and therefore what the effect of a budget solution might be on the level of Irish receipts was not discussed at Luxembourg. Consequently, no estimate of the effect on the Republic of Ireland can be made at this stage.