§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to what extent the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Community budget in the past three years has been reduced by increased expenditure in or on behalf of the United Kingdom under the common agricultural policy; and what is his forecast of the common agricultural policy's effect in the current year.
§ Mr. RidleyI refer the hon. Member to tables 2.2.4 and 2.2.5 of the public expenditure White Paper—Cmnd. 8789—Volume II, February 1983—which give details of our net contribution to the European Community budget and receipts from the European agricultural guidance and Guarantee fund for past and future years. The United Kingdom share of total EAGGF expenditure has risen from 5.5 per cent. in the 1979 budget to 10 per cent. in 1982. I expect our share to remain at the higher level.