HC Deb 05 June 1980 vol 985 c780W
Mr. Marlow

asked the Prime Minister, excluding budget contributions and the financial effects of the common agricultural policy, whether any EEC country receives less benefit from EEC membership than the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister

It is not possible to quantify accurately the overall economic advantages for us or any other member States. For instance, we have no way of knowing what our trade pattern would now be had we not joined the Community. But economic benefits include a domestic market of 250 million, and a strengthened position in international economic negotiations. The political advantages of membership of the EEC are substantial and shared by all member States.