HC Deb 18 February 1985 vol 73 cc360-1W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the trading advantages of United Kingdom membership of the European Economic Community.

Mr. Butcher

The European Community gives United Kingdom producers the opportunity of trading in a permanently assured internal market of 270 million people, allowing the fuller exploitation of economies of scale and giving a greater competitive stimulus to higher productivity and efficiency.