HC Deb 02 May 1989 vol 152 c41W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will obtain for his departmental library a copy of the speech by Mr. Giovanni Falcone of the Sicilian magistrates about the consequences of the single market for the Mafia; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maude

Mr. Falcone's remarks were part of a round table discussion on the Mafia and business in Sicily. the meeting was organised by the newspaperII Sole 24 Ore which carried an extensive report, including a transcript of the discussion. My Department has a copy of this report. Mr. Falcone said, in the context of the Mafia, that it was important to be aware of the possibilities that might arise for exporting criminal activities once the frontiers were abolished within the single European market. I am reassured, however, to note that Mr. Falcone also says that the Italian authorities are taking strong measures to combat Mafia business activities and that he is optimistic about the growing effectiveness of these measures.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement outlining the changes made recently in defining reciprocity for the purposes of the banking provisions of the single market.

Mr. Lilley

I have been asked to reply.

The Commission recently presented revised proposals for a reciprocity provision in the second banking co-ordination directive. As explained by the Commission, the revised proposals would set the Community's maximum negotiating objective as the achievement of effective market access and competitive opportunities for European Community credit institutions in a third country comparable to those accorded by the Community to credit institutions from that third country. The proposals include a procedure for suspension of new authorisations where credit institutions of the Community did not enjoy national treatment, effective market access and the same competitive opportunities as domestic institutions in a third country. The Council of Ministers had an initial discussion on these proposals on 17 April, and they are being considered further.