§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Employment, pursuant to his answer on 24 March, why he considers that withdrawal from the European Economic Community would have the most adverse effect on employment.
§ Mr. WaddingtonThe United Kingdom has established close economic links with the European Community. The Community now takes over 40 per cent. of United Kingdom visible exports and United Kingdom industry has adapted to the EC market. Furthermore, access to this market makes investment from outside the Community attractive. Withdrawal would disrupt these trade links and make investment in this country by foreign companies very much less attractive and therefore adversely affect employment.