HC Deb 26 October 1988 vol 139 cc288-9W
31. Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what monitoring he has undertaken of the level of awareness among business men of the single market achieved by his Department's "Europe—Open for Business" campaign.

Mr. Maude

Nine out of ten firms in this country are now aware of the significance of the single market. Since the campaign was announced DTI has had a substantial evaluation exercise to monitor the effectiveness of the campaign.

46. Mr. Amess

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on progress with regard to arrangements made by his Department to assist British firms to take full advantage of the completion of the internal market in 1992.

Mr. Maude

Nine out of ten firms in this country are now aware of the significance of the single market challenge. Firms throughout the country need to take action to prepare for it. DTI's "Europe—Open For Business" campaign provides the most comprehensive information service available to business anywhere in the Community.

59. Mr. Dykes

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a further statement on progress being made by the United Kingdom and the other member states on measures to create the single internal market by 1992.

Mr. Maude

The Government remain strongly committed to the completion of the single European market by the end of 1992. It will bring major benefits to business and consumers.

Over 60 separate single market measures have been agreed this year alone, including major proposals such as the liberalisation of capital movements, the mutual recognition of professional qualifications and the liberalisation of international road haulage. This brings the total number of measures agreed since 1985 to some 200.

At the European Council at Hanover in June, EC Heads of Government set four priorities for future work—public procurement, standards, financial services and intellectual property. All these are United Kingdom priorities. We also wish to see early progress on telecommunications, transport and food law.

I represented the United Kingdom at the first International Market Council of the Greek Presidency on 14 October. The council agreed six single market measures including a directive to ensure greater transparency in public works procurement; a directive to facilitate free trade in electrical apparatus by ensuring that it does not produce or receive interference; and measures to cut barriers to trade in fruit juices, jams, motorcycle parts and certain fertilisers. The council also discussed two further food law harmonisation directives, relating to labelling and foods for particular nutritional uses, and there was a preliminary discussion of a Commission memorandum about proposals for a European company statute.

We are maintaining rapid progress towards the completion of the single market. We will continue to make sure that markets are opened up in ways which encourage enterprise and increased competitiveness.

Back to