§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Following their promise that changes would be made to the European Union tobacco regime in 1996 (H.L. Deb., 20.10.1993, col. WA 54), what changes have been made to the regime; what reductions have been made in subsidies to European Union growers; and how much do British taxpayers contribute to subsidising the growing of tobacco.
Lord LucasThe Commission has yet to submit to the Council the proposal required in 1996 concerning the arrangements for the premia and quotas for tobacco production from the 1988 harvest. The UK contributes to the EC budget as a whole and is forecast to contribute about 15 per cent. in 1996 before our Fontainebleau abatement is taken into account.