§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a further statement on his Department's objectives for the completion of the single European market; and on what steps he is taking to ensure the attainment of those objectives.
§ Mr. Maude[holding answer 5 May 1989]: We strongly support progress to complete the single European market. Areas to which we attach particular priority include the liberalisation of financial services: public purchasing, transport and telecommunications services, and the removal of technical barriers to trade. In the Council of Ministers, we will continue to press for these objectives to be achieved in ways which open markets without placing unnecessary burdens on business, and which ensure that the Community remains open to the outside world.
The Government are also determined that United Kingdom industry should be as well placed as possible to meet the challenges the single market will bring. Our "Europe—Open for Business" campaign is designed to ensure that businesses are fully aware of the changes and to encourage them to take action to adapt their strategies accordingly.
302WMarch 1989 will cost the Department £20.9 million. A breakdown of numbers and cost of consultancy projects for each DTI region and for Scotland and Wales is as follows: