§ Mr. John Townendasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Council has acted on the Commission proposal, contained in COM(80)715, for a Council decision on advance payments to the United Kingdom under the supplementary measures regulation in 1980.
§ Mr. LawsonThe Commission proposal provided for a formal Council decision to implement the agreement on advance payments to the United Kingdom in 1980 reached at the Foreign Affairs Council on 7 October, and explained to the House by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 27 October. In order to allow sufficient time for the remaining procedures necessary to enable the Commission to make such payments before the end of the year, the Government accepted the Presidency's suggestion that this proposal be considered by the Council as a matter of urgency. The decision was accordingly adopted by the Council on 6 November and will enable the Commission to make advance payments to us next month of up to 200 meua—about £110 million at a rate of 1 .80 eua to the pound.
On 6 November the Council also established a draft supplementary and rectifying budget for 1980 which includes a provision of 119.7 meua for part of these advance payments.