HC Deb 05 December 1985 vol 88 cc337-8W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which amendments and modifications to the 1986 draft European Economic Community budget by the European Assembly involve increased expenditure.

Mr. Brooke

I refer the hon. Member to document 10444/85 which contains the European Parliament's amendments and modifications to the draft budget for 1986. This document, together with an explanatory memorandum, has been deposited in the House in the usual way.

Mr. Deakins

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, why, in the light of the statement of 28 November, Official Report, column 666, that increased non-obligatory expenditure in connection with the accession to the European Economic Community of Spain and Portugal represented a threat to budget discipline, Her Majesty's Government did not use its veto to oppose the revised draft EEC budget for 1986; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Brooke

Community budget procedure is governed by article 203 of the treaty of Rome, which provides for qualified majority voting by the Council at all stages. No single member state is therefore in a position to prevent adoption of the budget.