HC Deb 05 July 1984 vol 63 cc235-6W
Mr. Gould

asked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will consider with the leaders of the other political parties how the existing procedure for scrutiny of the budget can be reinforced to enable the House to express its views more fully on each budget before a final decision is taken in the Council of Ministers.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will reconsider the procedure for parliamentary scrutiny of the draft European Economic Community budget.

The Prime Minister

The preliminary draft budget and subsequent documents are dealt with in accordance with procedures approved by the House. I am always conscious of the need for the House to be given the fullest possible opportunity to consider these matters.

Mr. Gould

asked the Prime Minister whether she drew the attention of the European Economic Community Heads of Government at Fontainebleau to the United Kingdom deficit on trade in manufactures with the European Economic Community; and what weight was given to this factor in the negotiations concerning the United Kingdom contribution to the European Economic Community budget.

Mr. Austin Mitchell

asked the Prime Minister what consideration she gave to the net gains and losses outside the EEC budget in reaching a settlement at Fontainebleau in the United Kingdom cash contribution to the EEC budget.

The Prime Minister

During the months of the post-Stuttgart negotiations, we repeatedly drew the attention of other member states to the substantial non-budgetary, as well as budgetary, costs borne by the United Kingdom as a factor reinforcing the need for a fair and lasting settlement of the British budget problem.

Mr. Marlow

asked the Prime Minister what is her estimate as to how the United Kingdom's net rebated contribution to the European Economic Community budget for each of the years 1985, 1986, and 1987 will compare with the outturn for each of the years 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1984.

The Prime Minister

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave him on Monday 2 July at columns6–7.