§ Mr. Woollamasked the Lord Privy Seal what further arrangements have been made for providing Her Majesty's Government's share of the expenses of the European Free Trade Association.
§ Mr. HeathAs the House was informed on 6th April, 1960, Her Majesty's Government provided £2,000 towards the expenses of the European Free Trade Association for the period prior to the establishment of its regular budget. Of this sum, £500 was voted by Parliament in the 1959–60 spring Supplementary Estimate, a token £10 in the 1960–61 main Estimate, and £1,490 in the 1960–61 summer Supplementary Estimate. These amounts have been paid. The Council of the Association has now approved a budget for the twelve months beginning 1st July, 1960, totalling 1,655,300 Swiss francs, of which Her Majesty's Government's share is 496,590 Swiss francs. This 277W is to be paid in four equal quarterly instalments of approximately £10,250 each, and the first instalment has already been paid. This budget is not necessarily the final budget for the year.
Advances from the Civil Contingencies Fund are being obtained as necessary, and Parliament will be asked in due course to vote the additional money payable in 1960–61 by means of a spring Supplementary Estimate. This will be used to reimburse the fund.