News In Brief

European Parliament blocks $600 million rebate to Britain

The European Parliament voted Friday to block a $600 million Common Market rebate to Britain in a bid to force agreement from Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher on additional financing for the trading bloc.

In London, Mrs. Thatcher said the move was ''despicable.'' She opened the possibility of withholding budget contributions if the rebate is not paid by the end of the year. The rebate would be for British payments in 1983. It was intended to answer Britain's complaints that it pays more to the Common Market than it receives.