§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what basis it has been calculated that Great Britain's net contribution to the European Economic Community will be limited to £55 million; if this figure relates to the calendar or fiscal year; and if the net total takes account of rebates paid in the current year in respect of the previous one or rebates to be paid in the next year in respect of the current one.
§ Mr. Ridley[pursuant to his reply, 21 December 1981, c. 305]: The calculation relates to the United Kingdom's net contribution, after refunds, in respect of the European Community budget for 1981, which is for the calendar year 1981, and is as follows:
million ecus (i) Commission's current estimate of net contribution before refunds: 1,505 (ii) Refunds in respect of 1981 (payable from the 1982 Budget) specified in the Council Agreement of 30 May 1980: 1,410 (iii) Line i minus line ii 95 £ million (iv) Line iii converted at estimated average £:ecu exchange rate for 1981 and rounded: 55
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now in a position to set out a table showing the net contribution by the United Kingdom to the European Economic Community in the calendar years 1980 and 1981 after taking account of rebates paid in respect of both those years or due to be paid in respect of those years.
§ Mr. Ridley[pursuant to his reply, 21 December 1981, c. 305]: Estimated sterling figures for the United Kingdom's net contribution in respect of the 1980 and 1981 EC budgets were included in table 2.2.2 of the Government's public expenditure White Paper, Cmnd. 396W 8175. These figures will be revised and included in a comparable table in the forthcoming public expenditure White Paper.