HC Deb 15 February 1989 vol 147 c262W
78. Mr. Michael

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment his Department has made of the effects on employment, turnover and investment in the food retailing and manufacturing industry of the plans to complete the internal market in foodstuffs.

Mr. Ryder

The completion of the internal market will undoubtedly bring changes in the climate under which the food retailing and manufacturing industries operate. However, it is the individual companies themselves which are best placed to determine precisely what the impact will be on their own business and to invest accordingly. Government's role is in providing the information which companies need to do this, by promoting awareness of the changes in prospect and of the challenges and opportunities these changes present.