§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total amount of agricultural spending by the EEC which is permitted in terms of the strict budgetary controls agreed at the European Council; and what estimate has been made by the Commission of the likely expenditure in 1986 if its farm prices and other agricultural measures are agreed.
§ Mr. Jopling[pursuant to the reply, 4 March 1986, c. 89]: The financial guideline, which forms part of the Council's conclusions on budget discipline, provides that expenditure relating to agricultural markets shall increase by less than the rate of growth of the own resources base. The guideline for 1986 is 20,619 mecu. This figure was fixed in relation to the Community of 10 member states, and the question of how the guideline calculation should be adopted to take account of the accession of Spain and Portugal is still under consideration by the Council of Finance Ministers.
The Commission has estimated that expenditure in 1986 for the 10 member states under the EAGGF guarantee section (other than fisheries) will be 21,235 mecu if its proposals on prices, related measures and supplementary stock disposals are agreed.
The equivalent figure, including expenditure in Spain and Portugal, is 21,802 mecu.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to inform hon. Members of the detailed proposals in the 1986 farm price review of the EEC before the debate on the subject which is to take place on Monday 10 March; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Gummer[pursuant to his reply, 4 March 1986, c. 89]: Four documents containing the bulk of the Commission's detailed proposals were deposited in both Houses on 27 February, and the remaining document on 3 March. My Department has provided the usual explanatory memoranda. All these documents are available in the Vote Office. I am myself meeting the European Legislation Committee today to discuss the Commission's proposals; and I hope that this will put the Committee in a position to report to the House before the debate.