§ 61. Mr. WilshireTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what further plans he has to promote the completion of the European single market in 1992 to small firms; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CopeThe Government's "Europe Open For Business" campaign, is aimed at small and large firms. This Department, with the Department of Trade and Industry which is responsible for the overall campaign, is in contact with organisations representing small firms about ways of bringing the importance of the single market to their attention. We are also considering ways of extending the training available to cover this issue. Ministers and officials from both Departments have addressed many conferences about the importance for small and larger firms of the completion of the single market.
I have recently agreed that the contract with the European Commission for the London Centre for European Business Information should be renewed. The centre provides information and advice to small firms on developments and opportunities in the European Community particularly in relation to the completion of the single market.
§ 78. Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give an estimate of the number of new jobs likely to be created on completion of the single European market in 1992.
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§ Mr. CopeThe freeing of trade and the increased competitiveness that will result from the single European market will generate economic growth which will benefit the economy of the Community including that of the United Kingdom. It is extremely difficult to translate this into numbers of new jobs.
The Cecchini report on the likely impact of the single market suggested that 1.25 to 2.25 million jobs might be created in the Community as a whole after 1992.
The numbers of extra jobs in the United Kingdom will depend on the response of our industry and commerce to the opportunities that the single market will provide for business in the community and in the rest of the world.