European Community (Budgetary Procedure)

HC Deb 01 July 1982 vol 26 cc371-2W

Mr. Hordern

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a decision has now been reached about a draft agreement between the Council, Parliament and Commission on budgetary procedure in the European Community.

Mr. Ridley

The draft agreement to which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office referred on 23 June—[Vol. 26, c. 143]—was signed by the Presidents of the three institutions on 30 June. If it is ratified by the EuropeanParliament it will provide the basis for settling the 1982 Budget dispute between the Council and the Parliament and also contribute to avoiding similar disputes in the future. As soon as the text of the agreement as signed is available I shall place it in the Libraries of the House, in advance of publication in theOfficial Journal.