HC Deb 19 October 1976 vol 917 cc399-400W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of levies on food imposed since Great Britain joined the EEC; and for what purposes the money raised in this way has been used.

Mr. Robert Sheldon

The total amount of levies collected on agricultural imports between 1st February 1973, when these imports became subject to the EEC system of import charges, and 31st August 1976 was £112,593,000. This covered agricultural products for use as animal feeding stuffs and as raw materials for industry purposes as well as food for human consumption, separate figures for which are not available. The United Kingdom contribution to the European Communities Budget is financed out of the proceeds of these levies and of Customs duties, but the size of the contribution is determined as a percentage of the Budget expenditure.