Europe
European policy: Community Budget; reduction of UK net contribution: part 5
Catalogue ref: PREM 19/223
Date: 1980 Jan 22 - 1980 Feb 25
This file shows discussions about the UK's approach to the European Community (EC) Budget and its reform following the rejection of the 1980 Budget at Dublin in December 1979. Mrs Thatcher maintains a firm line - of a Foreign and Commonwealth Office statement on North Sea Oil policy and the EC budget she states 'that statement would be disastrous for Britain and I am not prepared to make it. The idea that we should have to sacrifice our main assets to secure some of our own money back is one that may appeal to the Foreign Office but it [does not] to me. Wouldn't it have been courteous to say the least to have come to me first?' Chancellor Schmidt is described by Roy Jenkins, President of the European Commission, as being 'depressed', 'emotional', critical of the Government's European policies, and also critical of President Carter. Jenkins describes Schmidt as speaking 'in pessimistic, almost apocalyptic, terms about the state of the world'. Schmidt said there was a 'smell of 1914 in the air', believing there was 'at least a 20 per cent chance of another world war'.
Go to DocumentsOnline to view the images
European policy: Community Budget; additionality and use of Community funds; part 9
Catalogue ref: PREM 19/227
Date: 1980 4 June - 1980 19 Sept
Mrs Thatcher's ministers had negotiated a refund of Britain's net contribution to the European Community Budget in late May 1980. This file shows Mrs Thatcher's angry reaction when the basis of the settlement appeared to be in doubt, due to complications concerning VAT and EC procedure for approval of Budget refunds. Mrs Thatcher comments 'No - the procedure is ridiculous. Its whole purpose is to demean Britain…we must fight this one - if necessary openly'.
Go to DocumentsOnline to view the images
Fishing: EEC Common Fisheries Policy; fishing limits; part 1
Catalogue ref: PREM 19/233
Date: 1979 May 08 - 1980 Jan 31
The file shows the Government's attempts to secure better terms in the Common Fisheries Policy which proposed to give the UK a relatively small share of fishing ground in proportion to its fish-rich waters. The Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State for Agriculture favoured seeking a speedy settlement to help the UK get political acceptance but Mrs Thatcher did not agree, initially holding out for a 50 mile exclusive zone. In a response to a letter from Peter Walker, Mrs Thatcher writes 'It is our water and…our fish. Don't give them away'. Thatcher strongly objects to many of the ideas put forward by Walker with annotations of 'No!!', 'too woolly' and finally 'never' written in the margins throughout the letter.
Go to DocumentsOnline to view extracts from this file
this is on the National Archives website http://nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/dec ... -files.htm
Looks like Mrs T trying to stand up for Britain
