§ Sir Teddy TaylorTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the draft CAP budget expenditure published by the EU for 1996; what is the legal limit of such expenditure; and what was the actual expenditure in each of the past 10 years. [37631]
§ Mr. Baldry[holding answer 19 July 1995]: The 1996 draft budget for common agricultural policy expenditure has been set at the level of the guideline—the legally binding ceiling on CAP expenditure—of 40,828 million ecu or £34,069 million. Initial indicators are that 1995 expenditure will be about 35,000 mecu or about £28,000 million, some 3,000 mecu or £2,418 million below the guideline. This is 1,047 mecu or £838 million within the EU guideline of 37,944 mecu or £30,375 million. Expenditure in 1994 was 32,970 mecu or £25,264 million, some 3,495 mecu or £2,678 million below the guideline. Details of expenditure on the common agricultural policy in previous years are contained in the annual financial reports on the European Agricultural guidance and guarantee fund, guarantee section, copies of which have been deposited in the Library of the House. The latest available report relates to 1993.