HC Deb 28 January 1987 vol 109 cc299-300W
Mr. Gould

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rate of exchange between the European currency unit and the United States dollar has been assumed for the 1987 European Economic Community budget; and how this compares with (i) the rate assumed for the 1986 budget, (ii) the average realised rate in 1986 and (iii) the current rate.

Mr. Brooke

The rate of exchange for the United States dollar to the European Currency Unit (ecu) assumed in the 1987 European Communities draft budget was 1 dollar to 1.1 ecus. The rate assumed in the draft 1986 budget was 1 dollar to 1.2 ecus. This was subsequently amended to 1 dollar to 1.1 ecus. The average outturn rate for 1986 was 1 dollar to 1 ecu and the rate on 23 January 1987 was 1 dollar to 0.9 ecus.

Mr. Gordon Brown

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his latest figure for the proportion of the European Commission budget spent on (a) all agriculture support, (b) social fund and (c) regional fund.

Mr. Brooke

[pursuant to his reply, 27 January 1987]: The figures from the 1986 budget as adopted, the latest available, are:

per cent.
(a) agricultural support 65.1
(of which) guarantee (titles 1 and 2) 62.9
guidance (title 3) 2.2
(b) social fund (chapters 60 and 61) 7.2
(c) regional fund (chapters 50 and 51 6.7

The Community has not yet adopted a budget for 1987.