Speeches, etc.

Margaret Thatcher

Radio Interview for BBC (Brussels European Council)

Document type: Speeches, interviews, etc.
Venue: Charlemagne Building, Brussels
Source: Thatcher Archive: COI transcript
Journalist: Stephen Jessel, BBC
Editorial comments:

Around 0230?

Importance ranking: Major
Word count: 189
Themes: European Union Budget, Agriculture

Stephen Jessel, BBC

Are you satisfied with the outcome?

Prime Minister

I think it is very good indeed. I think it is good for us that we have got a continuation of our rebate, which as you know, has netted us £3,000 million in the last three years. That rebate continues exactly as it was.

We got some tough agreements, tough for the farmers. I think they are justified in view of some of the surpluses that have been accumulating, but our farmers were saying: “Look! Please! We know it is going to be tough, but we want to know where we are so we can plan for the future!” I think they have got that.

There is just one thing that has yet to be agreed, some things on other commodities like sheep meat which is very important, the continuation of the milk quota. Those have yet to come. We have got the main form of them and our agreement to this package is subject to total agreement on that as they are now. [end p1]

Stephen Jessel, BBC

Mission accomplished then?

Prime Minister

Mission accomplished!