§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Industry (1) how many of the 100 largest United Kingdom companies have been consulted about the proposed National Enterprise Board;
205W(2) how many trade unions have been separately consulted about the proposed National Enterprise Board.
§ Mr. BennApart from general discussions with the TUC, the CBI and others about our policy thinking, I would expect most detailed consultations to follow the publication of our proposals.
§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Industry whether he has discussed his proposals for an NEB with the Commission in Brussels; and what information he has been given as to whether the proposed corporation would meet the requirements of A86 of Community law.
§ Mr. BennI have had the opportunity of several informal meetings with members of the Commission at each of which I have briefly outlined our approach and drawn their attention to the speech of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at Luxembourg and our view that Parliament should retain essential powers in this field.