§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what information has been prepared by his Department for defence contractors on the implications of 1992 and the single European market.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 19 July 1989]: Although European Community competence in defence procurement is circumscribed by article 223 of the treaty of Rome, the completion of the single European market will have an important impact on our suppliers, most of which operate in both the civil and defence sectors of the economy. The Department has therefore taken a number of steps to ensure that defence contractors are informed of the implications of 1992 for defence procurement. In April 1989, the Department held a forum for industry on the future of defence procurement in Europe; Ministers and senior officials have addressed the implications of 1992 in speeches and articles; and there are working-level contacts between the defence contractors and Ministry officials concerned with the impact of the single European market.
§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel from his Department are currently employed in giving advice on the implications of 1992 and the single European market.
§ Mr. Sainsbury[holding answer 19 July 1989]: A number of officials in the Ministry of Defence, particularly those concerned with legal affairs and with procurement and contractual matters, give advice on the implications of 1992. However, there is no post in the Department wholly or mainly devoted to advising on EEC matters.