§ Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Industry what proposals he made during the meeting of the Council of Ministers and the EEC Commission in December 1977 on the financing of the European Coal and Steel Community Budget through part payments of import duties; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Les HuckfieldThe Commission proposed that member States should contribute a total of 32 million European units of account in 1978 to meet increased 815W expenditure on grants to redundant steel workers and interest rebates on loans for projects to modernise steel production or create employment for redundant steel workers. The Council, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade attended, agreed in principle to the proposal, leaving the details of its implementation to be considered later.