British P.M. threatens to stop E.E.C. cash

Press, 27 February 1980, Page 9

British P.M. threatens to stop E.E.C. cash

NZPA-Reuter London The British Prime Minister (Mrs Margaret Thatcher) has said she may consider withholding payments to rhe European Common Market if the dispute over Britain’s contribution is not resolved. In her strongest statement jsv far on Britain's attempt to get a cut in its $2200 million contribution, she said Britons were deeply resentful about the large payment. Asked in a television interview if she would consider withholding contributions, Mrs Thatcher replied: “We might have to consider it. It would mean going against Community law. I don’t want to consider it.

until I have got everything I can bv other means, “By this J mean being difficult in every other single field, and that really would jiear the. Community apart,” I she said in the British | Broadcasting Corporation i interview. Britain has been offered a cut of $750 million but Mrs Thatcher has said this is not enough considering the country is one of the poorest in the Market. After ten months in office, Mrs Thatcher faces her first censure motion in Parliament. tomorrow, although, with her 42-seat majority, she will not lose the vote. Inflation in Britain has soared to 18.4 per cent,

lieconomists have projected;. ] two million unemployed i -Inext year, and Britain’s!, ;j trade gap is widening, with', lirecord imports last month. ■ ’I But Mrs Thatcher was; ilconfident her policies were. 11 right. “1 am convinced wei ( isliall succeed,” she said. ; Mrs Thatcher shrugged off| ( J recent press reports that, her!, LjCabinet, was deeply divided ; i over economic and employ- ( -Iment policies. I She said her Ministers ( J were not yes-men or syco- , flphants. There were argil- ; . ments in the Cabinet, sheh , admitted, but they were ' • about timing and method, ] . |not about Government; , I strategy. t