Common Agricultural Policy

HC Deb 12 December 1988 vol 143 cc430-1W

Dr. Hampson

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of the European budget is devoted to the common agricultural policy and what was the figure in 1979.

Mr. MacGregor

In 1988 it is currently estimated that spending under the common agricultural policy will take up 71 per cent. of the Community's budget, of which 3 per cent. is for depreciating old agricultural stocks and therefore relates to liabilities incurred in previous years. The equivalent figure for 1979 is 76 per cent.