§ Mr. Fellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to respect the description of imports as included in the Brussels nomenclature system of tariff classification, and to apply the appropriate import duty to the goods so defined under the tariff classification, when imported into the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. HigginsThe headings of the Brussels nomenclature provide the basic framework for the United Kingdom Customs tariff. The United Kingdom is free to subdivide these headings in order to fix appropriate rates of duty for the goods which they cover.
§ Mr. Shoreasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate in current prices for the year 1973 of the United Kingdom's gross contribution to the European Economic Community budget, of the United Kingdom's receipts in that year, and of the United Kingdom's net contribution; and on what date or dates during 1973 these payments are to be made.
§ Mr. NottBased on the draft budget as sent to the European Parliament, our gross contribution is likely to be about £125 million. This figure is at 1972–73 prices, as will be used in this year's Public Expenditure White Paper, and is based on a rate of 2.4 units of account to the £. Estimates of receipts and of net contributions to the Communities will be included in the White Paper.
Own resources have to be credited by member States to the Community within 60 days from the end of the month during which they accrued due. Decisions are normally taken each month about the financing of the Community's monthly needs within the approved budget. Payments to member States from the 227W FEOGA guarantee section for agricultural expenditure are made monthly in advance to cover estimated needs; other payments to member States from Community funds are not made on a regular timetable.