§ Mr. Allan StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has made to the European Commission and the Council of Ministers on the EC investment services draft directive; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RedwoodMy Department made a number of representations to the European Commission before its formal proposal for an investment services directive was submitted to the Council, and continues to press the United Kingdom interest in achieving an effective, liberalising directive in subsequent discussions in the Council working group. The directive has not yet been discussed at ministerial level in the Council.