HC Deb 16 June 1980 vol 986 cc379-80W
Mr. Body

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the additional expenditure that will be incurred by the United Kingdom in accordance with article 235 of the Treaty of Rome as a result of the agreement with the European Economic Community to reduce the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Economic Community budget by increasing Community expenditure in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Lawson

[pursuant to his reply, 13 June 1980, c. 324]: The proposed new regulation under article 235 will provide for supplementary Community expenditure in the United Kingdom. It will not provide for any additional expenditure to be incurred by the United Kingdom.

Mr. Body

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much he expects to receive as a refund in cash from the European Economic Community as a result of the new agreement above the United Kingdom contribution to the European Economic Community budget by (a) 1 September, (b) 1 November and (c) 1 January 1981.

Mr. Lawson

[pursuant to his reply, 13 June 1980, c. 324]: The precise timing of payments to the United Kingdom under the agreement reached on 30 May remains to be decided. But we expect to receive the main substance of the refund for 1980 before the end of the financial year 1980–81.