§ Mr. Blakerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest estimate of Great Britain's net contribution to the EEC budget for 1974.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe United Kingdom's net contribution in 1974 to the Community Budget is estimated to be some £50 million. This figure reflects some technical adjustments to the United Kingdom's contributions this year and will not be a guide to our payments in future years.
§ Mr. Blakerasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the contribution of the United Kingdom to the budget of the EEC as a percentage of the total budget of the United Kingdom in each of the years 1973 and 1974.
§ Mr. Joel BarnettThe United Kingdom's net contribution to the Community Budget in 1973 expressed as a percentage of total United Kingdom public expenditure in 1973 was about 0.32 per cent. Figures for public expenditure for calendar year 1974 are not available. The percentage for 1974–75 is forecast, on present estimates, to be approximately 0.12. For the reasons set out in my reply to the hon. Member on 18th November this percentage will not be a guide to that for future years.