§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate (a) overall and (b) agricultural spending by the European Economic Community in 1986; what were the limits on spending set in 1985; what are the implications for the budgetary discipline framework agreed at Fontainebleau, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Brooke[pursuant to his reply, 6 May 1986]: Total Community expenditure in the 1986 budget, as agreed at the Council's second reading, amounts to some 32,686 mecu. Within this, provision was made for agricultural guarantee spending of 21,012 mecu, comprising 20,445 mecu for agricultural market support in the Community of Ten (some 170 mecu below the agricultural guideline set in 1985 for the Community of Ten) plus 567 mecu for Spain and Portugal. The Commission has announced its intention of presenting a supplementary and amending budget which, if adopted, would increase total spending by 1,810 mecu to 34,496 mecu. This would include an increase in agricultural spending of 915 mecu in 1986, which would involve exceeding the guideline limit by some 745 mecu. When the Commission formally presents its proposals for additional spending, the United Kingdom will consider them carefully, taking into account the implications of the Council's conclusions on budget discipline and the particular circumstances of the current year.