§ Q24. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Prime Minister if she has any reason to revise her conclusion that the European Economic Community will be in a position to pay the abatements to the United Kingdom agreed at the Fontainebleau Council, following the address given by the European Community Budget Commissioners to the European Assembly on 13 March; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe abatement system for the United Kingdom agreed at the Fontainebleau European Council has now been incorporated in the European Community's new own resources decision, which has 561W been adopted by all member states and has been in force since 1 January 1986. As this decision has treaty status, the United Kingdom has a right to these abatements, and the Community has an obligation to provide for them in the Community budget.