§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arguments have been put forward to Her Majesty's Government by the European Commission to justify its adoption of a budget as amended by the European Assembly, against the decision of the Council of Ministers.
§ Mr. BrookeI have been asked to reply.
Article 203 of the treaty lays down that the budget is formally adopted by the president of the European Parliament. Article 205 states that the Commision is then responsible for its implementation. The Council of Ministers has decided to challenge the Parliament before the European Court, for adopting the 1986 budget on the grounds that it contains unauthorised increases in expenditure. The United Kingdom and certain other member states are mounting separate national actions against the adoption of the budget.