§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the EEC 1985 draft budget shows a 17 per cent. reduction in non-common agricultural policy expenditure; what are the main programmes so affected; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe 1985 draft budget as established by the Budget Council on 23 April shows a 12 per cent. reduction in non-common agricultural policy expenditure compared with the 1984 Budget. Comparisons are distorted by the fact that the 1984 budget contained provision for United Kingdom rebates to be paid through expenditure programmes as opposed to the system of revenue abatements that applies for 1985 and future years.
The figures are as follows:
mecu 1984budget (including supplementary budget) Total expenditure 27,249 of which CAP expenditure 19,120 Non-CAP expenditure 8,129 1985draft budget Total expenditure 27,930 of which CAP expenditure 20,751 Non-CAP expenditure 7,179