§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what action has been taken by his office in order to help or advise Scottish industries and the financial sector to prepare for 1992 in terms of(a) competitiveness and (b) adequate access to continental markets of their goods and services.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 26 October 1990]: In addition to the Government's "Europe Open for Business" campaign, which is delivered in Scotland by the Industry Department for Scotland, an extensive range of assistance is available under the enterprise initiative to help Scottish firms prepare for the single market. In particular, the consultancy initiatives assist companies to improve their competitiveness by developing skills in six key areas of management practice, and substantial help is available to assist firms to break into export markets or develop their existing overseas business. In addition, I chair the single market committee of the Scottish Economic Council, which has published a number of reports designed to assist the Scottish business community, including a paper on the implications of the single market for the Scottish financial services sector.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what public body has the specific task of helping Scottish financial sector development such as the ones created in Dublin and Amsterdam in preparation for 1992.
§ Mr. Lang[holding answer 26 October 1990]: The Government's policies are directed towards creating an environment in which the Scottish financial sector can prepare with confidence for the challenge of 1992. I share the financial community's own view that the development of its activities within that framework is not a matter for public sector direction but for the community itself.