§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the cost to the Exchequer of support to United Kingdom agriculture, as follows (a) gross cost and (b) cost net of all refunds; and if he will show (b) as a percentage of gross domestic product, for the years 1960–61, 1970–71, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83, 1983–84 and 1984–85.
§ Mr. MacGregor[pursuant to his reply, on 21 May 1985, c. 374]: Public expenditure under the CAP and on national grants and subsidies for the years 1980–81 to 1984–85 is given in table 28 of the annual review White Paper and similar data for earlier years is given in previous White Papers. These tables also show, where applicable receipts from the Community budget. Data of the gross domestic product for the years up to 1983–86 are contained in the Economic Trends annual supplement. The figure for 1984–85 is given in table 2.4 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1985–86.
As we contribute to, as well as draw from, the Community budget, these figures can be more meaningfully compared with gross than with net agricultural expenditure.