HC Deb 10 July 1978 vol 953 cc422-3W
Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many British nationals were among the 12,000 EEC employees who were overpaid and referred to in the reply to the hon. Member for Lichfield and Tamworth on 5th July;

(2) what was the total amount of money overpaid to EEC employees referred to in his reply of 5th July to the hon. Member for Lichfield and Tamworth; and what was the average amount overpaid per employee;

(3) what has been the cost to the British taxpayer of moneys overpaid to EEC employees in the latest year for which figures are available;

(4) what steps he will now take to prevent overpayment of moneys to EEC employees;

(5) if he will place in the Library a copy of his statement to the Foreign Affairs Council referred to in his reply of 5th July to the hon. Member for Lichfield and Tamworth.

Mr. Judd

My right hon. Friend regrets that we do not yet have the detailed information on the overpayments requested by my hon. Friend. The problem is being examined urgently by the Commission in collaboration with the member States and we hope the Commission will shortly make proposals which will enable the Council to act. The Government's views are well known to the Commission and to our partners but we shall continue to press for a solution along the lines proposed in the statement I made to the Council on 26th June. I am arranging to have a copy of that statement placed in the Library.