HC Deb 16 July 1998 vol 316 c285W
37. Mr. Kidney

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what action her Department is taking to raise business awareness of the introduction of the euro. [49409]

Mrs. Beckett

The Euro Preparations Unit was set up in Treasury at the beginning of this year to raise awareness of the implications of EMU for UK businesses and to help them prepare for the strategic and practical changes that the introduction of the single currency on 1 January will bring.

My officials will continue to work closely with the EPU to ensure that the many business contacts that my Department has are used to best effect.

Jackie Ballard

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what steps her Department is taking to help small to medium-sized enterprises prepare for the introduction of a single currency. [49387]

Mrs. Roche

The Euro Preparations Unit was set up in H.M. Treasury, with secondees from DTI, at the beginning of this year to raise awareness of the implications of EMU for UK businesses and to help them prepare for the strategic and practical changes that the introduction of the single currency on 1 January will bring.

DTI officials will continue to work closely with the EPU to ensure that the many business contacts that the Department has are used to best effect. For instance, I recently discussed the implications of the euro with the Business Link Chief Executives and considered with them how they could help SMEs prepare.