§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he has conducted any investigation into the effects on British industry of the internal market on a sector by sector basis, or in respect of any individual sector.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe completion of the single market will provide great opportunities for a wide range of United Kingdom business sectors. As part of the Government's efforts to make sure that United Kingdom companies are aware of and make the most of these opportunities, we are in active discussion with all sectors of United Kingdom business. Our priorities on the single market naturally take account of the position of different sectors.
§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many of the proposals made by the European Community Commission in respect of the 45W internal market have the agreement of Her Majesty's Government; identifying them and those to which Her Majesty's Government do not agree.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe Government strongly support the aim of completing the single market. We attach priority to many of the proposals made by the European Commission, but have difficulties with some others—as do other member states. Many measures in the single market programme are complex and all involve detailed negotiation. It would not therefore be possible to present the information in the form requested. Copies of the 1988 presidency action programme on the single market, which lists over 140 individual measures for discussion by the Council this year, are available in the Library of the House.