§ Mr. BlairTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what he estimates will be the effect on industry of the changes in public purchasing provisions by 1992.
§ Mr. Butcher[holding answer 25 April 1988]: Completing the single market by 1992 will mean that purchases by Governments and public bodies should reflect fair competition not national identity. United 94W Kingdom firms will have greater access to a European-wide public sector market which accounts for 15 per cent. of the European Community's gross domestic product, but they should also be prepared for increased competition here.