HC Deb 27 June 1980 vol 987 c320W
Mr. Marlow

asked the Prime Minister if she is satisfied that in the long term the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Economic Community will not increase the United Kingdom's budget contribution.

The Prime Minister

The accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Community will necessitate a larger Community budget, and therefore higher gross contributions by all the existing members. It is not possible to say whether this will result in a higher net contribution by the United Kingdom. This will depend on a number of factors, notably the nature of any decision taken in the meanwhile on the CAP and the results of the 1981 review of the structure of the Community budget.