§ 32. Mr. LitherlandTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made in preparing Northern Ireland for the implementation of the Single European Act.
§ Mr. Ian StewartWe have set in train action on a broad front to prepare Northern Ireland for the implementation of the Single European Act. This action includes gearing up the private sector for the challenges and opportunities of the single European market, ensuring that the public sector is alert to changing requirements on such matters as standards and public purchasing arrangements, and preparing the necessary development plan and programmes to take advantage of the Province's objective 1 priority status under the reformed structural funds.