§ Mr. TrotterTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will list his Department's support for companies in the Northern region for(a) exports and (b) preparations for the single European market, since 1987.
§ Mr. LeighUnder the enterprise initiative, my Department provides a wide range of assistance to companies. In conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, we are able to offer exporters access to market information facilities and a range of services designed to meet precisely the requirements of business. Our single market campaign has resulted in over 95 per cent. of businesses being aware of the implications of the single market and up-to-date advice and information is freely available to companies who wish to find out more about specific measures. Through the consultancy initiative, assistance may be available to companies that wish to use consultants to help prepare certain strategic areas of their business for the opportunities offered by exporting and the single market. The schemes operate throughout the United Kingdom, and separate figures are not readily available for take-up in the northern region.