§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress towards completing the European single market in 1992.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkWe are continuing to make rapid progress towards the goal of completing the single market by the 1992 target date. This was emphasised in the report produced by the European Commission in November, assessing the position at the half-way point in the single market programme.
Over 50 separate measures aimed at removing barriers to trade in Europe were agreed during the Greek Presidency which ended in December. This brings the total number of single market measures agreed to date to some 275, including 128 from the Commission's White Paper programme.
The Government are strongly committed to the completion of the single market: it will provide major opportunities for business and benefits for consumers.