HC Deb 27 June 1979 vol 969 c244W
Mr. Richard Shepherd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the adjustments in agricultural produce negotiated in Brussels last week will increase or decrease the net contribution of the United Kingdom to the EEC in the current financial year and in future years; and what estimate he has made of the likely sum involved.

Mr. Peter Walker

The total cost of the 1½ per cent. increase in prices on commodities other than milk—where of course the price was frozen—the cost of the butter subsidy, the additional subsidy on skimmed milk powder for pig and poultry feed and the effects of the changes in MCAs come to £300 million. Britain's contribution to this at the marginal 1980 contribution rate of 16½ per cent. would be £49 million.

Britain's receipt from the price settlement will be £65 million on the butter subsidy, £4 million on school milk and a saving of £14 million on the green pound devaluation, making a total benefit of £83 million.