HC Deb 14 February 1990 vol 167 cc247-8W
42. Mr. Allen Adams

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will next meet the European Commission to discuss the implications of 1992 for British industry.

52. Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he will next meet the European Commission to discuss the implications of 1992 for British industry.

Mr. Redwood

I continue to keep in close contact with the EC Commission across a broad range of issues.

118. Mr. Wigley

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money has been spent by his Department on awareness-raising about the implications of the single European market among British businesses; and if he will launch a survey of how many British companies are aware of the implications of 1992.

Mr. Redwood

Expenditure to date on the DTI's "Europe Open for Business" campaign to encourage businesses to prepare for the single market is £13.6 million. A weekly survey of business attitudes to the single market amongst firms employing 10 or more people is already undertaken on behalf of DTI. A hundred different firms are surveyed each week. The results show that business awareness of the single market is in excess of 95 per cent. Some 50 per cent. of firms are currently taking action to prepare themselves for the single market.

94. Mr. Ingram

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the most recent assessment that his Department has made of the effects upon British industry of the completion of the European single market in 1992.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The single market will provide enormous opportunities and challenges to firms in all parts of the United Kingdom. The overall impact will depend on how individual firms respond. About 50 per cent. of firms throughout the United Kingdom are now taking action to prepare for the single market and a further 10 per cent. are considering action.