HC Deb 22 April 1980 vol 983 c105W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what discussions he has had with EEC members concerning the ending of Community support arrangements for tobacco.

Mr. David Mitchell

None.

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what percentage of the EEC budget was spent on support arrangements for tobacco in 1979; and how this compares with the percentages for each of the past five years.

Mr. David Mitchell

The percentages of the EEC budget spent on tobacco support in 1979 and the previous five years were as follows:

1979 1.5 per cent.
1978 1.8 " "
1977 2.4 " "
1976 2.9 " "
1975 3.7 " "
1974 3.3 " "

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Industry what is the latest estimate of the cost of the EEC tobacco regime; and how this compares with the figures for each of the previous five years.

Mr. David Mitchell

The latest estimate of the cost of the EEC tobacco regime in 1980 is given below together with the figures for the previous five years:

MEUA £m.
1980 (estimated) 282.0 188.0
1979 (estimated) 212.0 141.3
1978 216.1 144.1
1977 205.2 134.1
1976 185.4 115.2
1975 200.5 112.3
Conversions from million European units of account (MEUA) have been made at the average EUA rates for the years 1975 to 1978 and at 1.5 EUA=£ for 1979 and 1980.

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