§ Mr. Spenceasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the delay by the European Parliament in approving the Common Market budget rebate to the United Kingdom resulted in any loss to the Exchequer due to lost interest charges; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyNo. The European Parliament in plenary session rejected the proposal by its Budgets Committee to which my hon. Friend refers, which related to the draft budget for next year—1982. There is, thus, no question of delays in payment or interest losses.
§ Mr. Spenceasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in connection with the delayed approval by the European Parliament of the Common Market budget, any representation was made to him that EEC funds were being improperly used by Her Majesty's Government; and on what grounds.
§ Mr. RidleyNo. Treasury Ministers have received representations criticising Government policy on the use of funds provided from the Community budget; but there has not, to our knowledge, been any suggestion of impropriety.