HC Deb 16 January 1981 vol 996 c611W
Mr. Denzil Davies

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount of the rebates payable to the United Kingdom from the EEC budget as negotiated on 30 July 1980 which are still to be paid before the end of the fiscal year 1980–81.

Mr. Lawson

The United Kingdom received a first payment of £97.6 million under the supplementary measures regulation on 31 December. For details of other payments to be made to the United Kingdom in the current financial year in accordance with the budget agreement of 30 May, I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Carlisle) on 27 October.

Mr. Denzil Davies

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further action is required by the Council of Ministers before the total amount of the rebates from the EEC budget due to the United Kingdom are paid before the end of the fiscal year 1980–81.

Mr. Lawson

The arrangements which will apply to the payment of refunds to the United Kingdom under the budget agreement of 30 May were set out in a reply by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Carlisle) on 27 October. The balance of the payments due to us in the current financial year can be made by the Commission on its own responsibility, though in the case of payments under the supplementary measures regulation the Commission's decisions are subject to the consultative procedure outlined by my right hon. Friend.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in the event of any country withholding money from the EEC as a result of the budget dispute, he will, in view of the fact that United Kingdom contributions for 1980 exceed the negotiated amount, ensure that the United Kingdom does likewise.

Mr. Lawson

[pursuant to his reply, 15 January 1981]: No. I am not sure why my hon. Friend assumes that our net contribution for 1980 will exceed the negotiated amount. The Government expect to receive refunds in respect of the 1980 budget in accordance with the agreements negotiated last year.