§ 16. Mr. Hardyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has held with the European Community Commission concerning the impact of the shortfall in the 1986 budget on the allocation to the United Kingdom of structural funds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerMy right hon. and learned Friend discussed the Community's budgetary situation with M. Delors, the President of the EC Commission and his colleagues on 21 May. Existing structural fund commitments will be met, but the timing of payments to all member states will he affected by the need for the budget to be established within the 1.4 per cent. ceiling. New commitments will also be constrained by the 1.4 per cent. ceiling.
§ 17. Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the European Court will make a decision in the case brought 226W by the European Economic Community Council against the Assembly over the 1986 Budget; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe court's judgment in the Council's case on the 1986 budget is expected by mid-July. We have noted the opinion of the Advocate General that the Parliament acted illegally in unilaterally adopting a 1986 budget without the Council's agreement as required by Article 203(9) of the Treaty of Rome.