asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will seek a substantial reduction in the future expenses allowances of the 13 EEC commissioners of £2,100,000 in the current year.

No. The figure quoted by the hon. Member seems rather exaggerated. In 1979 the total allocation for entertainment and representational allowances for the Commissioners amounted to £241,881, and other expenses, including mission expenses, travel and subsistence to £464,236.The European Court of Auditors has recently recommended stricter control of expenditure by the Commissioners. The recommendations have been broadly accepted by the President of the Commission.