§ Mr. Higginsasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will give the cost to Her Majesty's Government of contributions to aviation Euro control charges in the latest year for which figures are available; what percentage of the total cost this represents; and if he is satisfied with the present basis for determining the United Kingdom's share.
§ Mr. TebbitI assume that the question relates to the United Kingdom's contributions to the Euro control budget. For the calendar year 1979 our contribution to the operating budget is £3,844,000–31 per cent.—and to the investment budget is £2,009,000–20 per cent. However, Her Majesty's Government have received £4,087,000 from user charges as an offset to our contribution to the operating budget and £1,363,000 as reimbursement for indirect investments. I am not satisfied with the present basis for determining the United Kingdom's share of the operating budget; but shares of the investment budget are related to gross national product, and I am satisfied with that.