§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what basis of farm prices has been used in the figures used in the letter of amendment No. 3 to the 1985 preliminary draft budget of the European Communities.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe agricultural prices underlying the Commission's estimates for agricultural expenditure in its letter of amendment No. 3 to the 1985 preliminary draft budget are based on the prices agreed last year by the Agriculture Council for the 1984–85 marketing years and the Commission's price proposals of 30 January for the 1985–86 marketing years. The Budget Council incorporated these estimates in the draft budget for 1985 which it approved on 23 April.
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the United States dollar/European currency unit rate which has been assumed in the letter of amendment No. 3 to the 1985 preliminary draft budget of the European Community.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe Commission assumed a European currency unit/US dollar exchange rate of 1.30 for 1985 in drawing up its letter of amendment No. 3 to the preliminary draft budget for 1985.
§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what plans have been prepared by the European Community Council of Ministers for a contingency involving the effect on the European Community budget of currency fluctuations, or varied farm prices; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what contingency funds have been earmarked by the European Community Council of Ministers for a shortfall in funds created by any failure to get ratification of the latent non-reimbursable advance by national Governments.
§ Mr. Ian StewartI shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.