§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a statement on the official discussion which he held in December with Signor Moro, the Italian Foreign Minister; and to what extent these talks were concerned with obtaining the support of the Italian Government in Great Britain's negotiations on the financial difficulties connected with entry into the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. RipponMy right hon. Friend and Signor Moro had full and wide-ranging talks covering many aspects of world affairs, and in particular East-West relations. I took the opportunity to discuss with Signor Moro the statement which I made to the House on 16th December.—[Vol. 808, c. 1354–70.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will make a further statement on Great Britain's negotiations for entry into the European Economic Community in the light of the decision taken by the countries of the Six at the end of December, 1970, whereby a federal type system of budgetary control will be 199W established in the European Economic Community by 1978; to what extent these arrangements will affect Great Britain's contribution to the annual budget; and by how far short of £470 million per annum would Great Britain's contribution fall on the present known basis of contributions to the overall budget.
§ Mr. RipponThe proposals for budgetary arrangements in the European Community were arrived at in December, 1969. They were taken into account in Her Majesty's Government's opening statement to the Communities and in proposals subsequently put to them in the negotiations. For estimates of Britain's contribution to the Community budget I would refer the hon. Member to my statement in the House on 16th December.—[Vol. 808, c. 1355.]