HC Deb 31 March 1981 vol 2 cc91-2W
Mr. Richard Shepherd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost to the British consumer of the EEC Commission's latest proposal for a 7.8 per cent. increase on average farm prices; and by how much the proposal would increase the United Kingdom's gross contribution to the EEC budget.

Mr. Peter Walker

It is estimated that if the Commission's proposals on prices were adopted, without the proposed revaluation of the green pound, the result might be to raise consumers' expenditure on food by the equivalent of about 0.25 per cent. on the retail price index and to increase the United Kingdom's gross contribution to the European Community budget by about £75 million in a full year.

Mr. Richard Shepherd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate he has made of the cost to the consumer of a 12 per cent. increase on average farm prices; and by how much the proposal would increase the United Kingdom's gross contribution to the EEC budget.

Mr. Peter Walker

It is estimated that an average increase in farm prices of 12 per cent. might raise consumers' expenditure on food by the equivalent of under 0.5 per cent. on the retail price index and increase the United Kingdom's gross contribution to the European Community budget by about £175 million in a full year.