HC Deb 15 February 1994 vol 237 cc752-3W
Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what estimate she has made of the legal limit on agricultural spending by the EC in 1994.

Mr. Jack

The limit on agricultural spending is laid down in Council decision 88/377 concerning budgetary discipline. The agricultural guideline for 1994 is 36,465 mecu. The monetary reserve is 1,000 mecu.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what were the legal restrictions on agricultural spending by the EC in 1993; and what was the actual sum expended by the EC in this year.

Mr. Jack

The legal restrictions on agricultural spending by the EC in 1993 were contained in Council decision 88/377 concerning budgetary discipline. The level of the agricultural guideline was 36,657 mecu. The monetary reserve was 1,000 mecu. The provisional out-turn of expenditure is 35,095 mecu.

Sir Teddy Taylor

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to what extent the agricultural policies of the EC are designed to ensure that legal limits of spending are maintained; and if she will make a statement.

Mr. Jack

Expenditure on the CAP is constrained by the requirements of Council Decision 88/377 concerning budgetary discipline. Article 5 of this decision requires the Commission's price proposals to be consistent with the limits laid down by the agricultural guideline.