§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement on the future participation of British officials such as environmental health and trading standards officers in the European action plan for the exchange of officials engaged in the enforcement of Community legislation required to build the single market as set out in theOfficial Report, column 269, of 20 November 1991.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe United Kingdom supports the proposal, which is expected to be agreed at the 14 May internal market council, for an exchange scheme between member states of officials responsible for enforcing internal market legislation. Exchanges, each of two months duration in principle, are due to start in 1993, with the aim of increasing co-operation and confidence between national administrations, helping to ensure that88W Community legislation is applied uniformly in member states. Exchanges between member states should rise to a total of some 500 a year during the five-year programme and United Kingdom employers in national, regional or local government and the private sector, will be encouraged to support such exchanges in both directions. Nominations for participation, incoming and outgoing, will be co-ordinated by the office of the Minister for the Civil Service.