HC Deb 04 May 1988 vol 132 cc879-80
15. Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures his Department intends to take in the near future to increase the awareness among the general public of the implications of the completion of the European Community internal market in 1992.

Mrs. Chalker

We are playing a full and active part in the single market awareness campaign, launched on 18 April. We shall continue to make the single market a major theme of speeches both at home and abroad and to raise this in regular contacts with business men.

Mr. Wigley

Is the Minister aware of the considerable worry among milk producers in Wales, and, indeed, in south-west England and Scotland, about the effect of the single market in 1992? Are any discussions taking place between herself and the three Agriculture Ministers for England, Wales and Scotland about transitional arrangements? Is her Department, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Welsh Office or the Scottish Office responsible for arranging consultations, seminars and conferences in the United Kingdom on that matter?

Mrs. Chalker

That is really a question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Guided by him and the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales, we are doing our very best to ensure that excess production comes down and that there is a sensible move towards the new funding of agriculture which the Community needs.