§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) whether he will publish in theOfficial Report a table showing the United Kingdom share of the structural funds in the past three years, the forecast for this year and the forecast under the new arrangements; and if he will give the figures in percentages at European currency unit and sterling;
(2) pursuant to the statement on the meeting of the European Council, Official Report, 15 February, columns 705–17, whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the United Kingdom's share of the structural funds in the past three years, the forecast outturn for 1987–88 and the forecast under the new arrangements; and if he will give the figures both as percentages and in European currency unit and £ sterling.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe figures for the United Kingdom share of the structural funds for the past three years are given in the table. The drop in our percentage shares between 1985 and 1986 followed the accession of Spain and Portugal to the European Community.
It is not possible to forecast our share of the funds for this or future years. However, as the Prime Minister said in her statement on the outcome of the European Council at Brussels, we hope to increase our payment receipts from the funds to about £1,000 million in 1992.
United Kingdom share of the commitments of the structural funds 1985 1986 11987 Mecu 1,223 1,014 1,244 £ Million 722 714 2896 per cent. 22.7 15.6 16.7 1 Estimate. 2 Equivalent to about £750 million in payments.