HC Deb 15 January 1986 vol 89 c1072
16. Mr. Bright

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further progress has been made in opening up the internal market of the European Community.

The Minister for Information Technology (Mr. Geoffrey Pattie)

During the last six months the Council has agreed a number of measures which should facilitate the free movement of goods and services within the Community. The Internal Market Council of 12 December endorsed a detailed programme of action for the Netherlands and United Kingdom Presidencies with the aim of securing the adoption of a large number of further measures in 1986. A copy of this programme is in the Library of the House.

Mr. Bright

In what respects does my hon. Friend think that the most progress will be made to the benefit of the United Kingdom, especially with respect to small businesses, which still find that some of the obstacles put in their way when exporting to Europe are difficult to overcome?

Mr. Pattie

The Council has adopted a directive liberalising the marketing of unit trusts, co-ordinating national customs, computer developments and reducing clearance times at internal frontiers. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has taken an initiative that will ensure that all new proposals emanating from the Commission will be scrutinised with respect to the burdens that they will place on small businesses.

Mr. Nellist

Does the opening of the internal market of the European Community include consortiums for the production of helicopters? If so, will the hon. Gentleman advise workers at Westland not to accept job guarantees from the leaders of such a consortium, especially as Lord Weinstock, the leader of GEC, axed 1,000 jobs in Coventry, South-East just before Christmas? Will the hon. Gentleman advise them that they cannot believe the truth of such a spokesman for a European consortium?

Mr. Pattie

The hon. Gentleman should be aware that defence procurement measures, which are largely what are involved in the Westland case, do not come within the purview of the Commission.

Sir Brandon Rhys Williams

Does the Department recognise that for Londoners and the whole British economy the most important aspect of this process is the achievement of a fully integrated European market for capital over the whole range of financial services, with London playing its proper pre-eminent part?

Mr. Pattie

Yes.