§ Mr. Martenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what sums have been collected by authorities in the United Kingdom on behalf of the EEC including import levies since 1st January 1973; and what is the estimated sum for 1974.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinThe United Kingdom gross contribution to the European Communities' budget in 1973 totals £168 million. This figure allows for refund of collection costs, and including the last payment expected to be made this year, due on 15th December. This represents a percentage of the Communities' budget fixed under the terms of the 267W Treaty of Accession and is therefore only a proportion of agricultural levies, sugar levies and customs duties collected.
The United Kingdom gross contribution in 1974, on the same basis and at 1973 prices, is currently estimated to be £195 million, and the United Kingdom net contribution, after taking account of receipts from the Communities, is estimated at about £85 million in 1973 and £75 million in 1974.
These figures take no account of the Regional Development Fund.
§ Mr. Martenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the supplementary Estimate for £33 milliion announced on 25th July for the EEC was paid over to the Community; what was the actual amount in sterling; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinPayments to the Communities' budget are made monthly by member countries according to the Communities' cash requirements. No specific payment has therefore been made relating only to supplementary budget No. 4, the effect of which was to increase the total budget for 1973 by 916 million units of account. The United Kingdom share of this is £3.35 million.