§ Mr. Marlowasked the Lord Privy Seal what initiative the European Assembly is taking with regard to increasing the own resources available to the European Community; and what role the Government will take in any subsequent discussions.
§ Sir Ian GilmourIn a resolution of 6 November the European Parliament expressed the hope that the Commission would present proposals for the development of own resources. It also announced its intention to submit soon its own guidelines on the subject. As far as I am470W aware the Commission has no plans at present to put forward any proposal for an increase in own resources. The Government have made clear their view, which is shared by the Governments of certain other member States, that the 1 per cent. VAT ceiling should not be raised.