European Community (Finance Council)

HC Deb 12 May 1982 vol 23 cc266-7W

Mr. Bright

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement about the meeting of the European Community Finance Council in Brussels on 11 May.

Mr. Ridley

The Budget Council met on 11 May; I represented the United Kingdom. The Council considered and agreed the position it should adopt in discussions with the European Parliament on the classification of expenditure and certain other aspects of the budgetary procedure. The objective of the present discussions is to reach agreement on procedures, which should pave the way for finding an agreed solution to the 1982 budget dispute and avoid disagreements occurring in the future over the adoption of the Community budget.