HC Deb 22 March 1979 vol 964 cc703-4W
50. Mr. Rippon

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the cost per person of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Economic Community's budget in 1978 and the estimated cost for 1979 and 1980 (a) taking into account the appropriate reduction in respect of monetary compensatory amounts and (b) not taking monetary compensatory amounts into consideration.

Mr. Joel Barnett

The cost per head of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the Communities' Budget in 1978, treating monetary compensatory amounts on United Kingdom food imports paid in exporting member States as if they were direct receipts by the United Kingdom from the Budget, is estimated at £5.8. No estimate is available for 1979 and 1980 of monetary compensatory amounts paid in exporting member States. The cost per head of the United Kingdom's net contribution at 1978 prices, not taking monetary compensatory amounts paid in exporting member States—i.e. the actual net contribution—into consideration is as follows:

£
1978 14.4
1979 (estimate) 14.0
1980 (estimate) 16.0

The right hon. and learned Member will be aware that some other member States take a different view from ourselves in this context about treatment of MCAs. We consider that it makes economic sense to regard the exporting member States to be the main beneficiaries.