HC Deb 18 March 1986 vol 94 cc99-100W
Mr. Bellingham

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has received notice of the outcome of the United Kingdom's application to the European Court of Justice for interim measures regarding the 1986 Communities budget; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lawson

The president of the European Court of Justice has granted our applicaion for interim measures in terms of the following orders:

  1. "1. The Commission shall implement, until 10 July 1986 or until the date on which the Court delivers its judgment in case 34/86, Council v European Parliament, whichever date shall be the earlier, the budget for the financial year 1986, as regards both payment appropriations and credit appropriations, on the basis of the draft budget established by the Council at its second reading on 27 November 1985, subject to those amendments decided by the Parliament on 12 December 1985, which do not have the effect of increasing non-compulsory expenditure, that is to say the amendments by way of transfer from budget line B 660 to the new lines B6615, 6616 and 6617 and to line 6632 and from budget line B 944 to line A 1 100.
  2. 2. In the first call which it makes, following this order, on the United Kingdom for funds relating to the 1986 budget, the Commission shall reduce the amount claimed, on the basis of 100 the budget established by the Council at its second reading, by the amount of any overpayments made by the United Kingdom prior to this order on the basis of the budget declared by the President of the European Parliament on 18 December 1985.
  3. 3. Should the Court not deliver its judgment in the aforesaid case 34/86 on or before 10 July 1986, the United Kingdom shall reappear before the Court without delay in order to ascertain whether the Court will maintain the order which it has addressed to the Commission."

The Government welcome the court's judgment, which vindicates their decision to bring an action before the court for interim measures pending judgment on the substantive action against the European Parliament.

The Government will continue to work with their partners to ensure the successful outcome of the main case.