§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing the net contribution made by the United Kingdom, less rebates, in respect of each of the calendar years from 1973 to 1983; and if he will provide an estimate of the net sum which will be paid in respect of the years 1984 and 1985, respectively.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe information requested for the period 1973–83 is shown in the following table. Estimates of the net contribution for future years were published in the last Public Expenditure White Paper (Cmnd. 9143, Volume II pages 13, 17–18). These estimates will be updated in the autumn statement in the light of the agreement reached at the Fontainebleau European Council.
£ Million Gross payments Receipts other than refunds Gross refunds Net Total Net total* at constant 1983 prices 1973 181 79 — 102 374 1974 179 150 — 29 93 1975 342 398 — †-56 †-141 1976 463 296 — 167 365 1977 737 368 — 369 708 1978 1,348 526 — 822 1,420 1979 1,606 659 — 947 1,431 1980 1,767 963 98 706 890 1981 2,174 1,084 693 397 448 1982 2,863 1,238 1,019 606 638 1983 2,976 1,522 807 647 647 * The figures given in the reply have been calculated to constant prices by use of the GDP deflator based on GDP in pounds sterling at 1983 average market prices. These figures are published in Economic Trends. † Negative sign denotes a net receipt.