HC Deb 18 January 1982 vol 16 c86W
Mr. Marlow

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now complete the table on net cash flows to and from the European Community published in the Official Report, 19 November, c. 223; if he will estimate the final outturn for the remainder of the year; whether it is still likely that the forecast deficit will be £50 million; and if he will set out the factors on which his estimate is based.

Mr. Ridley

During the month of October 1981 the United Kingdom made a net payment of £4 million to the European Economic Community budget. Full figures for November and December 1981 are not yet available. The latest estimate of United Kingdom net cash payments during the whole of 1981 is approxiamately £500 million.

The figure referred to by my hon. Friend approximates to a Commission estimate of the net United Kingdom contribution to the 1981 Community budget after taking account of refunds payable, in accordance with the 30 May 1980 agreement as indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Southend, East (Mr. Taylor) on 22 December 1981.—[Vol. 15, c. 395.]. It is not a figure for cash payments in any specific year.