§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Technology whether he is aware that Great Britain will have to pay the Community Levy on its steel and coal production on joining the European Coal and Steel Community and that the present levy is 0.3 per cent. on the value of production; and what is his estimate of the cost in £ sterling to Great Britain and to its balance of payments of imposing a 0.3 per cent. levy on Great Britain's coal and steel production.
Mr. Alan Williams:Yes, but to make a meaningful estimate of the cost we should need to know not only the rate of levy which will apply in an enlarged 24W Community but also on the level of United Kingdom steel and coal prices and output at the time of accession. The effect (if any) on the balance of payments would depend on the arrangements for collection of the levy and on the extent of the benefits we receive in the form of financial assistance from funds to which the levy contributes.